Friday, August 18 , 2006

Commerce Secretary Sees Blueprint For SVHEC’s Future
Center Hopes To Launch Graphic Arts Program With VCU, Parsons School of Design

“You cannot sell a product until you know the product,” said Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Patrick Gottschalk explaining the reason for his two-day tour through Southside Virginia.
“There are times when it’s the governor, myself and a CEO in a room,” Gottschalk said. “I’m making sure that I get on the ground and know the area’s assets and challenges.”
At every Southside locality he visits he said he hears the same thing, the need for educational opportunities and workforce development.
“Workforce development is huge in this region,” he said. “We really have to pay attention to the areas of the Commonwealth that need help.”
Southern Virginia Higher Education Center Executive Director Ted Bennett explained the center’s plan for the future and its challenges.
“Our strategy is to manage our knowledge train,” Bennett said. “In addition to continuing education, we are to be the institution to reach out to K-12 students in our region. We expect to be a significant resource for that.”
Bennett then focused on the higher education center’s budding graphic design program as an example of course study that directly meets the needs of business, both locally and nationally.
The higher education center is working with the Parsons School in New York and VCU to establish a two-year graphic arts program.
Dr. Ralph Wileman, who is developing the new program, offered a presentation that focused on the many benefits graphic arts services could offer businesses from brand image to public relations.
“Business leaders have needs that need to be solved,” Wileman said. “Graphic designers solve communication and marketing problems.”
The three goals of the designer are to gain and hold the customer’s attention, help the customer understand the product or service and ensure that the customer remembers the message through visual communication, Wileman said.
“The graphic arts field is growing,” Bennett said. “There is demand here locally and currently all the business is going out of town.”
Getting the program up and running is going to take a significant amount of money, he added.
Bennett also addressed horticulture/forestry, which is currently one of the largest employers in rural Virginia.
“We need to bring some help to this industry,” Bennett said. “Get it the workforce it needs.”
In 1999, the most recent reported year, total economic output was $369,149,630 in Southside from the forestry industry, according to statistics provided by Virginia Tech.
Halifax had an average annual harvest of $3,818,086 from 1986 – 2001, according to the statistics. And over 27 percent of industrial establishments within the state manufacture forest products, including 285 sawmills, 116 paper product facilities and 198 furniture plants.
The higher education center is working with Virginia Tech to meet the industry’s educational needs, Bennett said.
“The industry needs an educational partner,” he added.
Bennett asked Gottschalk for his help making these programs a reality, noting rural communities can only do so much on their own.
“Localities like ours can only raise themselves up so far,” he said. “We have a missing link of years three and four (in four-year degree programs).
“We can’t afford faculty salaries,” he added. “It’s a responsibility of the Commonwealth to help us find a way to afford these salaries.
“Chasing the old industrial model is insufficient,” he added. “There must be an educational component.”
Gottschalk agreed.
“We are working on ‘new economy’ types of deals throughout the state,” he said.
The secretary visited VIR Wednesday before seeing Riverstone Technology Park, The Prizery and the higher education center yesterday.
He started his tour in Farmville and made stops in Martinsville, Chatham and Danville before arriving in Halifax. After leaving the higher education center he was scheduled to make stops in South Hill and Emporia.

Granite Walkway Discovered Under Halifax Sidewalk Will Gain New Life
Next On Agenda, Removal Of Main Street Utility Poles, Courthouse Square Renovation

Piles of ripped up pavement, bulldozers, backhoes and long lines of cars, logging trucks and 18-wheelers packed Halifax’s Main Street yesterday as Virginia-Carolina Paving and assorted construction workers continued the town renovation assault.
Open surface cuts for fiber optic conduit and installation of storm water drains were under way, but town officials said yesterday that they expect two-lane traffic in the town to resume quickly.
“Travel lanes are always opened completely when crews finish work each day,” said Town Manager Carl Espy. He noted that one more day of single-lane traffic may be required within the next week to 10 days but that advanced notification would be made promptly.
During road work, parking for downtown customers is available on Houston Street or for those seeking court services, the public parking lot at the lower end of the Blue Ridge Jail parking lot is open.
While taking up concrete sidewalks this week, construction workers discovered a 25-ft. section of granite walkway in front of Garland’s Jewelry. Architectural historians speculate the walkway had been laid out as an approach to Halifax Courthouse, which was built in 1838 by master builder Dabney Cosby Sr. and his son, Dabney Minor Cosby. The senior Cosby worked with Thomas Jefferson on the construction f the University of Virginia. He also participated in the design and construction of courthouses in Goochland, Lunenburg, Sussex and other counties.
Hill Studio architectural historians recommended the granite walkway pattern be documented, then removed for use during the Courthouse Square renovation project, which is Phase III of the Halifax Downtown Revitalization Master Plan funded through a VDOT Enhancement Grant award.
Next on the town’s agenda is the removal of Main Street utility poles to Houston Street, which is located immediately behind Main Street.
Espy said yesterday that the town is seeking Virginia Historic District designation for Courthouse Square and surrounding areas. In pursuit of that goal, the town is working with Hill Studio, the Department of Historic Resources and the Halifax County Historical Society
During major road projects, Halifax police recommend motorists who are not doing business downtown may avoid traveling through the project by using Cowford Road to Golf Course Road or Love Shop Road. Motorists on the west side may use Sinai Road to Green’s Folly Road.

Middle School Students To Board Buses Before High School Students

To prevent congestion at the middle school construction site, school buses will load middle school students first, then proceed to the high school to board students, Halifax County Public School officials announced yesterday.
The action followed a meeting with police, South Boston and public school system officials.
All buses will exit onto Route 129 at the traffic light in front of the high school at approximately 3:25 p.m. using the access road, according to school officials.
Authorities said manual operation of the traffic light will ensure a quick release while maintaining traffic flow on Route 129.

Seymour Thomas Barnes
Seymour Thomas Barnes, 80, of 124 Meadow Drive, South Boston died August 15, 2006, at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mr. Barnes was born in Middlesex, N.C. on December 21, 1925, to the late James Barnes and Odar Bailey Barnes and was married to Fannie Walker Barnes. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, an Army Veteran and was retired from the World Health Organization.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, Dr. June Daffeh of White Stone and Jenny Ilene Barnes of Paris, France; one brother, Walter Barnes of Middlesex; two grandchildren, Maimuna Daffeh of Newport News and Seymour Daffeh of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Barnes will be held tomorrow, August 19, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Halifax with the Rev. Booher officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery with Military Rites by American Legion Post 99.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Leon Edmonds
Leon Edmonds, 51, of 910 Edmunds Street, South Boston died August 14, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Edmonds was born in Halifax County on May 13, 1955, to the late John S. Edmonds and Mary Pearl Edmonds. He was a member of Union Grove CME Church.
Survivors include five brothers, John Edmonds of Flint, Mich., Anthony Edmonds of Richmond, Daniel Edmonds, Ronnie Edmonds and Jerry Irving, all of South Boston; two sisters-in-law, Lisa Edmonds and Dolores Edmonds; and a devoted friend, Ernest Bouldin of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Edmonds will be held today, August 18, at 1 p.m. at The Crawford House Chapel in Halifax with the Rev. Thomas Edmonds officiating.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Gordon Wayne Martin
Gordon Wayne Martin, 63, of 412 Neal Davis Road, Ringgold died August 15, 2006 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mr. Martin was born in Halifax County March 7, 1943, the son of the late Roy Clarence Martin and Blanche Lucille Coates Martin and was married to Helen Lewis Martin.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two daughters, De De Martin Smith and husband, Andy, of Nathalie, and Kelly Martin of Ringgold; two grandchildren, Alicia and Cody Smith, both of Nathalie; one brother, Burnette Martin of Gretna; three sisters, Joanne Trickey of Cluster Springs, Phylis M. Callahan of Chase City and Brenda M. Worden of Saxe.
Funeral services for Mr. Martin will be held today, August 18, at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Lay Pastor Charles Hutcherson officiating. Burial will follow in the Lewis-Tucker Family Cemetery at Republican Grove.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Catherine Wall Pyrant
Catherine Wall Pyrant, 86, of Yanceyville, N.C., died August 2, 2006. She was born August 1, 1920.
Survivors include two daughters, Judy Satterfield White and Marlene P. Watlington, both of Yanceyville; four grandchildren; eight-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Boneze W. Walton of South Boston, Myrtle W. Lawson of Kernersville, N.C., and Ruth W. Sparks of Dry Fork; and two brothers, Bratcher Wall Jr. and Wayne Wall, both of Forest City, N.C.
Funeral services for Mrs. Pyrant were held August 5 at Prospect United Methodist Church in Yanceyville.
Wilton Edward Ragland Sr .
Wilton Edward Ragland Sr., 86, of 1923 North Main Street, South Boston died August 15, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Ragland was born in Halifax County on June 21, 1930, to the late Samuel Ragland and Susie Ragland Williams, and was married to K.A. Lucille Nicholson Ragland. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Halifax, was a retired assistant principal with the Halifax County Public School System, and was owner of Ebony Memorials.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one son, Wilton E. Ragland Jr. of South Boston; one sister, Lillian Marable and husband, John, of Washington, D.C.; one brother, Charlie L. Ragland of South Boston; one brother-in-law, John Marable; three sisters-in-law, Pauline N. Gailes, Pearl N. Jones, and Mattie L. Simmons and husband, Fred.
Funeral services for Mr. Ragland will be held August 21, at 11 a.m. at Ebenezer CME Church in South Boston with the Rev. David L. Booher officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Garden Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel Sunday evening from 5 to 6, and other times at the home.

 

Comets Gridders Face First Test Tonight
The HCHS Varsity Football Team Will Face Gretna Here Tonight At 7:30 P.M. In A VHSL Benefit Game

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
After almost three weeks of workouts the Halifax County High School varsity football team is ready to face its first test.
That test will come tonight when the Comets host Gretna High School in a Virginia High School League Benefit Game. Kickoff time tonight at Tuck Dillard Stadium is 7:30 p.m.
Tonight’s game, one of the key points of the pre-season, will offer Comets head coach John Lacy Harris and his coaching staff its first opportunity to measure just how far the Comets have come in pre-season workouts. The big thing about tonight’s game, Harris said, is his team using this game as a tool to improve itself.
“We’re using it as a means to get better,” Harris said.
“This will be our first game situation. This will be the first time we will have gotten to hit somebody other than ourselves. Things will speed up a little bit. They (Gretna) have a good football team and an excellent football program.”
While the focus of the Comets players tonight is to become a better football team, tonight’s game against Gretna is a game everyone wants to win.
“It’s a game and we want to win it,” Harris pointed out.
“That’s why you play the game. Hopefully, we’ll get to look at some of the younger kids if things go well. If they don’t, we’ll play the starters as much as we have to.”
Harris said the emphasis tonight is to work on the things his Comets team does and on those things that the team is expected to see more often during the course of the season.
“The teams we play don’t run what Gretna does,” Harris noted.
“We’ll continue working and trying to get better to defend what we’re going to see during the regular season.”
Harris said the first part of the week was spent with the players working to get better at what they do.
“We’ve been trying to improve techniques we already have in on both sides of the ball,” Harris pointed out.
“Probably on Thursday (yesterday) we will focus on Gretna and some of the things they do. It’s really more about getting better this week, even though we do have a scrimmage game.”
If there is a concern heading into tonight’s game it is the fact that a small handful of players are nursing some bumps and bruises.
“Offensively, we’ve got to get some kids back healthy,” Harris said.
“We’ve got some kids banged up. We’ll get them back either for the scrimmage or early next week.”
All in all, everything appears to be going according to schedule, the Comets coach noted.
“We think we’re on schedule,” the coach said.
“We’ve certainly got a long, long way to go. We’re battling through it. The kids are working hard. The enthusiasm has certainly picked up from the first week.”

Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals Action Begins Today At VIR
Premier AMA Motorcycle Racing Event Offers Three Days of On-And Off-Track Excitement At Alton’s VIRginia International Raceway

By John Gardner
VIR Public Relations
VIRginia International Raceway is gearing up for its biggest event of the year, the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals featuring the AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited, this weekend.
The event will feature three days of racing in America’s top motorcycle road racing championships on VIR’s technical and challenging 2.25-mile North Course.
The headlining AMA Superbike Championship presented by Parts Unlimited will run a double-header event, with 28-lap feature races on both Saturday and Sunday.
The Lockhart Phillips Formula Xtreme series will have a 17-lap race on Saturday afternoon, while the Repsol Lubricants Superstock and Pro Honda Oils Supersport presented by Shoei Helmets series will contest 17-lap races on Sunday.
Off the track, the entertainment will be just as intense as the racing. Tonight, the Big Kahuna Fan Party will get underway at 5:30 pm, located at the Speed Channel Mobile Theater in the paddock.
There will be a DJ playing all the latest hot music, free Red Bull and water for everyone, plus umbrella girls and many of the top riders in the sport, including former World Champions, who will be available for autographs.
There will also be a mind-boggling variety of prizes to be won by lucky fans. Ten fans will be able to win $100 cash prizes in a raffle drawing. There will be a number of signed helmets available to win: one from Arai signed by Moto GP and AMA Superbike stars, plus former World Champions; one signed by Suzuki Superbike stars Mat Mladin and Ben Spies; and one signed by Yamaha Supersport and Superstock star Jamie Hacking. Plus there will be cool gear available to be won by Speed Channel, Moto 1 and Joe Rocket, as well as motorcycle art prints from the renowned artist Tim Berry.
In addition to all the give-aways, Speed Channel celebrities Ralph Sheheen and Dave Sadowski will man the microphones for a question-and-answer session with the series’ top riders, and there will be a special stunt show by Jason Britton and Eric Hoenshell of Team No Limit Extreme.
To cap off the evening, there will be a special showing of the new Moto GP movie, “The Doctor, the Texas Tornado and the Kentucky Kid” on the Jumbotron screens.
Another exciting component of the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals weekend will be the Boz Bros Bike Show presented by 2Wheel Tuner magazine and Parts Unlimited.
Eric and Ben Bostrom, two of the world’s most renowned motorcycle racers, with experience in the World Superbike Championship and the AMA Superbike Championship, have created their own line of street bike exhausts, plus clothing and accessories. Their products will be on display at VIR, along with a rock-climbing wall, a bike dyno, Tourist Trophy game demos and a wheelie machine for fans to enjoy.
In addition, the Bostroms will host a custom sportbike show, with five classes open for fans to display their customized rides, specialized awards such as Best ‘Busa, and an invitational class for builders that have been featured in the magazine. Eric and Ben, along with other top names in the industry, will judge the bikes on Saturday afternoon, and will be available to sign autographs for fans.
The Speed Channel Mobile Theater will be open to fans all weekend, and its removable pods will enable fans to play the latest video games when they’re not enjoying the on-track action or other entertainment. Plus, there will be numerous Jumbrotron screens set up around the facility so fans can watch the action on other parts of the track.
Also, Team No Limit Extreme will be proving stunt shows in the pit lane and at various locations on the track every day.
A new feature this year will be the Big Kahuna Lounge, located at VIR’s Pavilion just outside the paddock. This will provide fans with a shady spot to relax during the weekend, with music and refreshments available. A DJ will be spinning the hottest new music all weekend, with valuable prize giveaways throughout all three days.
“We have been promoting races for a long time,” said event promoter Cameron Gray of M1 Entertainment, “and we have learned that the Golden Rule of event promotion is to make sure the fans have fun. We have designed the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals to be more like a festival than an event. There is something for everybody to do, all the time, all weekend. If you like motorcycles, there is no way you can come to VIR this weekend and not enjoy yourself. The fans in Virginia are great, not to mention very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and we’re looking forward to putting on a show for them that they’ll never forget.”
“Cameron Gray and M1 Entertainment continue to impress us more every year as the Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals grows in quality and stature,” said VIR general manager Josh Lief.
“The creative and innovative approach they bring to the table, with the emphasis on giving the fans more than just a race, sets the standard in event promotion. We think this year’s Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals is going to be the biggest and best yet, and the fans can look forward to great racing on the track as well as terrific off-track entertainment.”
The Suzuki Big Kahuna Nationals offers a variety of ticket packages designed to fit every budget, including standard general-admissions tickets, Big Kahuna Super Tickets, Big Dog Hospitality Passes, Little Dog Hospitality Passes, Pit Walk Passes, car parking passes and camping passes.
All current military personnel will receive a 30-percent discount and free parking by presenting their ID card at the gate. Similarly, college students will be eligible for a 15-percent discount by presenting their ID card at the gate.
Groups of 20 or more will also be eligible for a 15-percent discount, providing the order is paid for with one credit card. Discounts do not apply to Trackside VIP Suite and Big Kahuna Super Tickets, or to Big Dog Hospitality Passes or Pit Walk Passes.
Children aged 12 and under will receive free admission, provided they are accompanied by a paid adult, but must have a Little Dog Hospitality Pass to enter the Big Dog Hospitality area.
To purchase tickets, visit www.m1event.com or www.gettix.net. Tickets ordered too late to mail will be able to be picked up at Will Call at the track.

Lions Linksters Score Second Win
Middle School Linksters Downed Amelia Here In Tuesday’s Dual Match

By Joe Chandler
Sports Editor
The Halifax County Middle School golf team picked up its second straight Southside Middle School Conference win of the young season here Tuesday afternoon, downing Amelia 183-270 in a dual-team match at Green’s Folly Golf Course.
T.J. Daniel led the Lions in the nine-hole contest with a round of 44 over the front nine holes of Green’s Folly Golf Course and was the medalist for the day.
Parker Harrell followed with a round of 45 and Cody Spencer was next with a round of 46. Dillon Puryear’s round of 48 was the final score that was counted towards the Lions’ team total.
Brandon Marshall carded a round of 56 and Blake Jones turned in a round of 58.
Kaitlin Fallen and Tyler Tepper also played for the Lions but were unable to complete their round due to a thunderstorm.
Kayla Busic led Amelia with a round of 52.
Lions coach Charlie Payne said he was pleased with his team’s effort.
“We’ve got a few mistakes that we need to correct,” Payne said, “and we’ll work on those things. As far as their effort goes, I really appreciate the kids’ effort. They’ve been working hard. As long as they keep working hard, they will get better.”
The Lions will be back in action on Monday when they hit the road for the first time of the season to face Russell. The match is expected to start at 2 p.m.