By Keith Strange/G-V Staff Writer

Del. Clarke Hogan, R-Halifax, announced Friday that the Prizery has been awarded $100,000 in funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation 2002 Enhancement Project Allocation (TEA-21).
The funds will be used for ongoing renovation to transform the 38,000 sq. ft. building into a community, fine arts and welcome center in South Boston.
A $50,000 grant was awarded for the engineering study for streetscape improvements for the first phase of Main Street beautification.
Town Manager Bob Greene said the money would be used for engineering study costs.
"We're going to use the money as planning money to continue our streetscape program," Greene said yesterday.
The Halifax grant is a joint grant between the county and town, he added.
"This is an example of the town and county working together to beautify downtown Halifax," Greene noted.
Hogan said the grants would have a direct impact on the economic vitality of Halifax County.
"I am delighted that our community will benefit directly from these funds in a positive manner," Hogan said.
"When completed, The Prizery will be an invaluable asset in drawing tourism dollars into our area," he added.

What is the lesson to be learned from Halifax and Charlotte county citizens who defended the Staunton River Bridge in 1864?
"One lesson for both us and our enemies is quite clear: We can take it," said Major Greg Eanes.
Eanes, who serves with the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C., was guest speaker at Saturday's unveiling of a new historical marker in Halifax.
The marker recognizes the town as a stop on the Wilson-Kautz Raid Trail, a Southside driving tour documenting the Union's attempt to sever Confederate supply lines.
The trail officially opened Friday in Petersburg.
"We, the American people, and particularly Virginians, have been here before," Eanes said.
"Our people, once stirred, rally to the call to duty."
Halifax Mayor Dennis Osborne, Carol Throckmorton, president of the Halifax Village Business Association, David E. Martin, chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, Jim Cary, coordinator of the Old Dominion Resource Conservation and Development Council, and Doug Powell, local historian and county representative on the Wilson-Kautz Trail development committee, unveiled the marker as approximately 50 area residents looked on.
The trail includes 30 new Virginia Civil War stops put together in a marked driving tour.
It is named after Union Generals James Wilson and August Kautz, who hoped to cut the Confederate Army's supply lines and shorten the conflict. General Ulysses S. Grant ordered the calvary divisions to destroy rail lines throughout Southside Virginia.
The raid began June 22, 1864, and ended nine days later.
It was during the raid that the Battle of Staunton River Bridge occurred on June 25, 1864.
Four hundred and ninety two old men and young boys gathered in Halifax in response to a plea from Capt. Benjamin Farinholt to assist his 296 Confederate reserves in the defense of the Staunton River Railroad Bridge.
The Confederates faced a Union army of more than 5,000 troops and held off the Union troops in four consecutive attacks on the bridge.
"We are fortunate that Halifax was recognized as making such a significant contribution to this historical event, and that it, too, has become a stop on the tour, even though it is not directly on the route the Union calvary took," said Powell.
"This stop should bring economic benefit to the community as those appreciating our history and heritage will seek out our town.
"Along with this marker comes recognition on maps and promotional materials relating to the Virginia Civil War Trail Program, including one new map hot off the press," added Powell.
"It is already being distributed at all regional welcome centers and visitors' centers and will be sent by our Virginia Tourism Corporation worldwide."
During the ceremony, Powell offered a challenge.
"I challenge the community, the town and the merchants to adopt this site and care for it," Powell said, "and to continue to support efforts such as the recent courthouse upgrades, its illumination and the War Memorial Park to provide an attractive town that will attract visitors."
Eanes, after noting the first of the common lessons between the days of yesteryear and today, said the second lesson is to get involved.
"Our family members and forefathers have already set the example," said Eanes.
"We merely must heed that example by getting involved in the fight, volunteering our time and efforts to strengthen our civil defenses and our community's support infrastructure."
That, Eanes says, comes through supporting local rescue squads, volunteer fire departments, volunteering to help the Red Cross and joining the Virginia Defense Force and other reserve or active duty services.
The third thing everyone can do, Eanes said, is pray.
"The power of prayer played a role at Staunton River Bridge," Eanes said.
"We can pray for moral, physical and emotional strength for yourselves, those engaged in the fight against terror and their families.
"We can pray for victory and a quick resolution so our children and the world may live in a better, more peaceful place.
"Pray for the President and our national leaders who are seeking ways to win the war without losing the peace," added Eanes.
"And, finally, pray that God's will be done. For, with God, all things are possible."
Eanes, a native of Nottoway County, was recalled to active duty in January in support of the Global War on Terrorism and now serves at the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington.
He is the author of "Black Day of the Army: April 6, 1865," "The Battles of Sailor's Creek" and "Destroy the Junction: the Wilson-Kautz Raid and the Battle for the Staunton River Bridge."
The unveiling of the new historical marker in Halifax was the second of a two-pronged historical observance in Halifax County.
Saturday morning, officials and members of Virginia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy held its annual military awards service at the UDC memorial marker at the Staunton River Bridge battleground.
Those who fought and died in the battle that took place on Halifax County soil were remembered during that ceremony.

South Boston Town Council selected economic and retail development and consolidation of services as top priorities during their retreat last weekend.
Incoming Halifax Mayor Leon Plaster addressed South Boston Town Council during its Saturday session.
"I came here to plant a seed of cooperation between the towns of Halifax and South Boston, and the county," Plaster said.
Plaster said cooperation was imperative if the community was to move forward.
"If we don't try to work together on mutually beneficial agendas, we'll fall by the wayside," he added.
Some of the areas Plaster addressed were the proposed consolidation of the two libraries, and water and sewer services.
"The ability of a municipality to grow is determined by it's water and sewer system," Plaster suggested.
Under consideration is the two towns providing water and sewer services to the county industrial parks, joint water service to the Centerville area, and working together on long-range water and sewer issues.
It seemed clear to all involved that a new spirit of cooperation was needed.
"A lot of problems (with cooperation) arise because we haven't done our homework," Plaster said.
South Boston Mayor Glen Abernathy said he was concerned that Halifax wasn't included when the cost of joint services was divided.
"The cost is often split between South Boston and the county," the mayor said.
"We would appreciate you taking a look at some of these projects and making a contribution," the mayor told Plaster.
But Abernathy said South Boston was ready and willing to cooperate with Halifax.
"Halifax and South Boston are the core of this community," he said. "We need to work together and cooperate on almost everything that comes along."
Economic Development Issues
From an economic development standpoint, council said they would support a feasibility study of a business incubator in Houghton Industrial Park.
Doug Bowman, chairman of the South Boston Industrial Development Authority, presented the proposed incubator to council during Friday's session.
Bowman told council that a business incubator was a facility to support and nurture new business.
"The idea of an incubator is a facility that will create jobs through the creation of local businesses," Bowman said.
Currently, there are about 20 publicly funded and non-profit incubators open or under construction in Virginia, including the Dan River Business Development Center in Danville.
Bowman told the council the South Boston Industrial Development Authority has authorized a $10,000 matching grant with the state that, if approved, will allow a feasibility study to be conducted on the project.
The feasibility study will provide the town the necessary data and information to determine if there is a market for a business incubator.
The study will recommend the appropriate location, address the organizational structure, provide an economic impact analysis, identify marketing strategies and recommend marketing and funding strategies.
Nationally, Bowman said over 80 percent of businesses started in an incubator were successful.
A business incubator is a facility that offers fledgling businesses low-cost space, management support and technical assistance.
Mayor Glen Abernathy asked Bowman how successful existing incubator projects have been.
Bowman pointed to the New River Valley Competitiveness Center as an example.
"They started in 1998 with a 30,000 sq. ft. facility, and they are currently doubling their space," Bowman said.
Tamyra Vest of the Community Development Office reported on continuing revitalization efforts by the town.
Vest said the Enterprise Zone program, which offers both state and local incentives to businesses locating in the zone, was continuing.
"Just as an example of its success, we have exceeded our projected budget for the first time, and I consider that a good thing," Vest said.
South Boston has been designated a Main Street Start-Up, Vest said.
"It's a preview to being designated a Main Street Community," she said.
The Main Street Community is a downtown revitalization program that provides assistance to deteriorating downtown areas, Vest explained.
In the start-up phase of the program, the designated community makes a commitment to work toward joining the program.
Vest said the program is essentially a way for the government to help communities help themselves.
"The model for the program is to have grass-roots organizations lead the government," she said.
The Community Development office is working on several active and proposed projects, Vest said.
"The Prizery is working with TEA-21 funding and just entered advertisement for the construction of Phase I," she reported.
The office is also looking toward the beautification of the town gateway.
"We have moved the caboose, and are looking at locating an information kiosk at the gateway," she said.
The Community Development Office is working on a grant proposal through the Virginia Recreational Trails Fund to construct a walking trail through the historic tobacco warehouse district.
Town Manager Ted Daniel said the town is considering using tobacco funding to construct an industrial outlet mall.
"The outlet mall is something we need to look into," Daniel said.
He noted that local manufactures have excess inventories and are eager to participate in the proposed mall.
"It would be a great draw to the area," Daniel said.
The town manager said currently the town is looking for a facility.
"We were looking at the Taylor building, but after an analysis, we found it would be cost-prohibitive," he pointed out.
Post-Boundary Adjustments
The town manager also pointed out some proposed capital improvements to recently annexed areas.
"One suggestion is to upgrade the roads inherited during annexation," Daniel said.
This would include bringing some existing dirt roads up to minimum standards.
Councilman Ed Owens said road improvements would allow for more development of those areas.
"If we don't do it, we'll never realize the potential of these recently acquired areas," Owens said.
Councilman Coleman Speece said a study should be conducted to determine the economic impact of those improvements.
"We need to do an assessment to see the potential benefits," Speece said.
Daniel said he thinks the town is on the right track as far as the budgeting process.
"I feel good about the budget," Daniel said. "I think we're on the right track for the town's five-year plan."
Daniel said the council's strategic goals determines the way town money is spent.
"We put demands on department heads to know how their budget requests fit into the strategic plan," he said.
From a strategic planning standpoint, Daniel reported that on June 30, 2007, the town's total debt will be $14,000 a year.
"We're almost covering capital programs with operating revenue," the town manager said.

The Halifax County School Board will hold a special meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the Mary M. Bethune Office Complex in Halifax.
It will be held in the school administration conference room on the first floor.
The agenda for tonight's meeting consists primarily of routine end-of-the-year matters and the payment of the end-of-the-year bills.
-From staff reports

It was like a night and day's difference for the Halifax County Collegiate baseball team.
On Thursday night, Collegiate suffered through a very difficult night, committing seven errors while managing to get only three hits in an 8-0 loss to Exchange Club in Greensboro, N.C.
The next night was a completely different story.
Playing like a team that was nothing like that of the previous night, Collegiate blanked Ringgold 10-0 in a game that was halted under a slaughter rule after five innings.
The split left Halifax County Collegiate with a 5-4 mark as it prepares for a rematch with Ringgold here tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Collegiate has three more games after that this week with home contests on Wednesday and Friday night and a road game Tuesday night against Gate City.
Collegiate had practically nothing go its way in Thursday night's debacle against the Exchange Club.
With the help of three walks, two errors and a couple of hits, Exchange Club ripped Collegiate for five runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 5-0 lead.
Two errors, a walk and a hit opened the door for Exchange Club to plate two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and a leadoff base hit and a Collegiate error led to another run for Exchange Club in the bottom of the sixth inning to cap the scoring.
Meanwhile, Exchange Club yielded four walks and two errors to Halifax County.
However, Halifax County was never able to take advantage of the opportunities.
Collegiate managed only three hits in the game with player-coach Chris Parker, Marty Barron and Travis Owen getting a hit each.
Friday night's 10-0 shutout of Ringgold marked a total turnaround for Collegiate.
Hurler Todd Meadows turned in a big performance on the mound, fanning seven batters while allowing only one hit and two walks.
Meanwhile, Collegiate torched the Ringgold pitching for 13 hits with Mike Priest leading the way with three hits and Justin Saunders and player-coach Kenneth Day each getting two hits.
Nick Thompson, Brian Medley, Dabney Cosby, Casey Owen, Parker and Dan Powell each had one hit in the contest.
Collegiate started out strong with a leadoff double by Saunders who scored on a one-out double by Priest to put the team up 1-0.
A leadoff hit by Day to start the bottom of the second triggered another good inning as a one-out single by Powell plated Day to put Collegiate up 2-0.
Halifax County broke the game open with seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to jump to a 9-0 lead.
Six base hits including run-scoring safeties by Thompson, Priest, Medley, Cosby and Day, three walks and two Ringgold errors contributed to the big Halifax County inning.
Halifax County put an end to the game in the bottom of the fifth when Saunders led off with a base hit and scored on a two-out single by Owen.

Charles Pleasant Henderson

Graveside services for Charles Pleasant Henderson, 76, of Lakeside Drive, Halifax will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The Rev. Lewis Wall will conduct the service.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home Monday from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.
Mr. Henderson died Sunday at Somerset.
He was born in Drewey's Bluff on September 1, 1925, a son of Hubert Howell Henderson and Mrs. Annie Dunn Henderson, and was married to Marion Dance Henderson.
He was a World War II Army veteran and of the Presbyterian faith.
Mr. Henderson is survived by his wife, Marion Dance Henderson, of Halifax; one daughter, Carolyn Henderson, of Halifax; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Lebsack of Oak Level and Mrs. Margaret Dorman of Charlottesville; one brother, Hubert H. Henderson, of Richmond; one grandchild and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by one son, Chuck Henderson, and two sisters, Ruth Hodnett and Nancy Gee.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Beth Car Baptist Church Building Fund or Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, Va. 24592.

Estelle Cumby Tate

Estelle Cumby Tate, 94, died Saturday.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Northside Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, with interment at 3:30 p.m. in Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Boston.
The family will receive friends Monday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Reid Funeral Home in Ashland.
Mrs. Tate was a daughter of the late Lewis Edward and Lutye Carden Anderson.
Her first husband of 45 years, James Booker Cumby, and her second husband of 15 years, Lawrence Haley Tate, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her daughter, Jane Cumby McAlexander, and her husband, Calvin, of Ashland; a step daughter, Hilda Tate Wood, of Falls Church; one sister, Lillian A. Taylor, of LaCrosse; one sister-in-law, Myra A. Anderson, of South Boston; four grandchildren, two step grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a niece, nephews and many devoted friends.
Before moving to Richmond, she was a member of Dan River Baptist Church in Halifax County, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and Royal Ambassador Leader.
Moving to Richmond in the late 1930s, she joined Northside Baptist Church, where she worshipped and served for over 50 years.
She was an Honorary Deacon, a Training Union director, Sunday School Teacher and WMU leader when the church was in Highland Park, and later when the membership moved to its present location on Studley Road in Mechanicsville.
Mrs. Tate worked for many years as a bridal consultant for a store in Richmond.
She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Holly Chapter 11, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northside Baptist Church, 7600 Studley Road, Mechanicsville, Va. 23111, or the Ashland Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 667, Ashland, Va. 23005.

Kimberly Dawn Crowder Tysinger

Kimberly Dawn Crowder Tysinger, 31, of 1111 Charles Lane, Halifax, died June 20 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Tysinger was born on September 2, 1970, the daughter of Charles Weatherford Crowder and Joan Andrews Crowder and was married to Darryl Layne Tysinger. She was a member of Halifax Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Sara DeLayne Tysinger and Samantha Dawn Tysinger, both of Halifax; her parents of Halifax; one sister, Jennifer C. Chappell of Vernon Hill; one brother, C.W. Crowder of Halifax; her parents-in-law, Layne and Linda Tysinger of Halifax.
Services for Mrs. Tysinger were held June 22 at 4 p.m. at Halifax Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Terry Blevins officiating. Burial was in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Kimberly C. Tysinger Memorial Fund, c/o Community National Bank, PO Box 817, South Boston, 24592 or Halifax Presbyterian Church.

Elsie Farmer Whitfield

Elsie Farmer Whitfield, 59, of Robersonville, NC, died June 21 at her home.
The funeral service was held June 23 at 3:30 p.m. at Biggs Chapel with Dr. David Brown and Dr. Julia Ledford officiating. Burial was in the Whitfield Family Cemetery.
Mrs. Whitfield was a member of Wendell Baptist Church in Wendell, NC. She was married to William Whitfield who survives.
Other survivors include two sons, John Latham Whitfield of Siler City, NC and Lee Anthony Whitfield of Blowing Rock, NC; two daughters, Janet Leslie Whitfield of Raleigh, NC and Jennifer Lynn Whitfield of Boone, NC; her mother, Evelyn H. Farmer of Vernon Hill; two sisters, Florence Gery of Danville and Betty Ware of North Wilkesboro, NC; one brother, Jimmy Farmer of Vernon Hill and four granddaughters.