At its spring Board of Directors meeting held in Hinton, West Virginia, the National Committee for the New River (NCNR) elected two new members, Alfred B. Glover and Martha E. Stephenson.  According to NCNR Executive Director, George Santucci, “We are very excited to welcome Martha and Alfred to our Board – their depth of experience, and their support for conservation, are sure to enhance our work throughout the watershed.”

Alfred Glover is President of Boone Ford Lincoln Mercury, in Boone, NC. Glover was born and grew up in Charlotte, NC.  He attended Northwood University and served in the U.S. Navy.  After an early career in banking, he began his work in the automobile industry.  Glover is a Jefferson resident and longtime supporter of NCNR.  He says, “Living on the New River is a wonderful gift; I’m looking forward to doing my part to help communities in the watershed value and care for the New.”

Martha Stephenson is a veteran land trust volunteer and supporter, having served as an   important member of the Board of Directors at the Blue Ridge Rural Land Trust.  A Boone resident, she has served in several capacities at Appalachian State University, most recently as Executive Director – University College Academic Advising and Orientation Center. Along with her considerable land trust experience, an upcoming move to Virginia’s New River watershed prompted NCNR to elect Stephenson to the Board.  Stephenson notes, “Our impact on the land is obvious.  The land’s impact on us is much more subtle and deep.  My commitment to the land trust movement lies in the grass roots values implied by local people working hard to preserve land and conserve community, sustaining a quality of life so valuable that you desire it to be there for those who come after you.”

NCNR envisions a permanently protected New River as a treasured natural resource.  The mission of NCNR is to advocate for successful protection of the New River, to restore eroding river and stream banks and enhance riparian habitat, and to permanently protect land along the River.  NCNR works in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia’s New River watershed.  Over the last 31 years, the organization has protected nearly 5,000 acres of land important to the River’s water quality, scenic and natural values, and has restored over 66 miles of river and stream bank.

The Annual Celebration at Claytor Lake State Park is set for June 7, 2008. Claytor Lake State Park is located in Dublin, Virginia. This is the festival’s 11th year and promises to be the best one yet.

The festival committee have planned a wonderful day at the lake that includes arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, a wine tasting featuring Virginia Wines, a car show including antique cars, an antique vehicle show, antique fire trucks by Old Dominion Historical Fire Society, Yearout Fishing Tournament and Essay Contest, radio controlled cars and airplanes, children’s activities, sand sculpture contest, Native American Demonstrations and the Red Fire Singers. The day’s entertainment includes Bluegrass Star Dave Evans and the River Bend, the Billy Crawford Band, the Rock’n Cruisers and the Parking lot Grass. In addition, the grand finale Fire Works at dark.

The festival begins at 10 a.m. and ends with fireworks at dark. Entertainment begins with a live radio remote by Cumulus Broadcasting and will continue until the fireworks begin and will resume for about 45 minutes after the fireworks show.

Entry to the Park is free; however, there is a $5 parking fee. Shuttle service will be available from the Wal-Mart Parking lot in Dublin.

The Festival is planned by the Claytor Lake Festival Committee, Claytor Lake State Park, the Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley and the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce.

You may call 540.980.7363 for additional information or visit our website at www.facnrv.org.

Three Giles County residents were among the 44 students who were announced as Outstanding Students in a Curriculum/Subject Area at the recent President’s Awards Ceremony at New River Community College in Dublin.

They are: Lauren J. Robertson, IT Game Design Specialization and General Studies; Samantha S. Talbert, Pearisburg, Computer Aided Drafting and Design; and Heather S. Vittum, Pembroke, Paralegal Studies. The awards are determined by the faculty in the various programs at the college. All students receiving the Outstanding Student in a Curriculum award have completed requirements for an associate degree, certificate or diploma and were eligible to participate in the college’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 15.

Others named Outstanding Students in a Curriculum were: from Floyd County - Kara R. Rogers, Riner, Graphic Design Communications Specialization; Dorothy J. Skiles, Pilot, Administrative Support Technology; Michael W. Walker, Jr., Floyd, IT Networking Specialization; from Grayson County - Daniel J. Campbell, Independence, Science; Luke N. Campbell, Independence, Science; Andrew S. Meeks, Elk Creek, Information Technology.

From Montgomery County- Joshua A. Barnett, Christiansburg, Architecture Specialization; Kimberly D. Bramlett, Christiansburg, Liberal Arts; Henry H. Buckland, Christiansburg, Human Services; Daniel B. Burgess, Blacksburg, Information Technology; Emily A. Gabrysch, Blacksburg, IT Computer Graphics and Web Design Specialization; Christopher D. Hawks, Blacksburg, Electronics Technology and Instrumentation & Control Automation Technology; Steven R. Lester, Christiansburg, Electrical Engineering Technology; Andrea M. Litton, Christiansburg, Paralegal Administrative Support Specialization; Pamela V. Lydon, Riner, IT Network & Technical Support Specialization; Brandy M. McAlexander, Riner, Medical Administrative Support Specialization; Heidi H. Phillips, Christiansburg, IST Help Desk Support Specialization; Ervin Plumbi, Blacksburg, Architecture Specialization; Anne C. Sheppard, Blacksburg, IT Network & Technical Support Specialization; Michael J. Speer, Blacksburg, Engineering; Aaron J. Tucker, Blacksburg, Information Technology; and Lauren M. Wolfe, Christiansburg, Business Administration.

From Pulaski County - Adam J. Carr, Pulaski, Electronics Technology; Kayla M. Gravley, Parrott, Marketing; Stephen M. Harris, Draper, 3D Animation Specialization; Tony L. Jennelle, Pulaski, Welding; Rick E. Riddle, Dublin, Police Science; Kayla C. Taylor, Allisonia, Early Childhood Development Specialization; Bonnie K. Westpfahl, Pulaski, Business Management; Alison A. Wilkins, Dublin, Nursing;

From, Radford City - Jason C. Smith, Radford, Computer Aided Drafting and Design.

Students who earned recognition for being Outstanding Students in Subject Areas were: from Radford City - Fleurian V. Azo, Radford, English and Yeneakal G. Alemayhu, Radford, English.

Each year, across the nation, one event brings together entire communities to take part in the fight against cancer. That event is the American Cancer Society Relay For Life®.

It’s a time and place where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives.

It’s not just an opportunity to celebrate, remember, and fight back. Your involvement will help the American Cancer Society work toward their mission of eliminating cancer as major health issue and will support much-needed services in your community.

Thanks in part to the donations from Relay For Life and other events, the Society is saving lives, helping those touched by cancer, and empowering people to fight this disease all over the world.

If you want to be a part of the fight against cancer, sign up today for the Relay For Life of Giles County, which will be held June 27, 2008 at Giles County High School.

A big thank you to our local businesses for helping to make our Kick-Off Celebration a success: Pizza Hut, Pizza Plus, Wal-Mart, Tangent Outdoors, and Subway.
If you’re interested in learning more or receiving an invitation, please email us at teaton@pemtel.net or call 540.626.3112

The Radford City Water Treatment Plant has been selected to receive the 2007 Virginia’s Excellence in Waterworks Performance Award.

The award, from the Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water, recognizes outstanding filter performance at waterworks facilities across the Commonwealth.

Her most recent experience was working for the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, where she and the Chamber President “basically ran the place;” coordinating volunteers, keeping their website fresh, and welcoming the thousands of “snow birds” that flock to the Island every year.

As Plant Superintendent Lawrence Rice explains, the industry standard for filtration is to find less than one NTU (nephelometic turbidity unit) in 95% of all water measured.

According to Rice, Radford’s Water Treatment Plant has gone well above this requirement and has been meeting industry standard 100% of the time.
Rice says the outstanding performance can be attributed to the “diligence of the operators” at the plant.

“I am very pleased with their continued hard work,” he said.

This is the third consecutive year that the Water Treatment Plant has received this award.

The Mayor and Town Council of Pulaski along with the Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, and the Virginia Department of Transportation cordially invite the public to attend the upcoming New River Trail Extension dedication and activities.
As you know, the New River Trail State Park is one of the regions success stories. Linear parks and greenways have been an important part of the New River Valley’s quality of life. Community based efforts have been underway to link these trail systems into towns.

After many years of challenges the Town portion of the trail will finally be finished and will connect the Pulaski trail to Galax. To commemorate this monumental occasion the 2.6 miles of trail will be dedicated on National Trails Day, June 7, 2008, at Heritage Park, in Pulaski.

Various kickoff events are planned for the day. Kicking off the day at 7 a.m. with a fishing tournament at Gatewood Park. A fishing license is not required on that day and prizes will be awarded.

At 8 a.m. the Gatewood Road Ride cycling event will start in the Maple Shade parking lot and ride to Gatewood Park and back. Please fill out waiver of liability form.

The PCHS Cross Country & Track Boosters will sponsor a 5K Race and Walk/Fun Run. The Walk/Fun Run will at 9 a.m. The cost of this event is $2.00 per person. Then at 9:30 a.m. the 5K Run will get under way, the fee for this race is $15.00 per person. All participants will receive a t-shirt. Registration and packet pick-up will be from 7 to 9 a.m. Please see  form for all the details.

The trail will be officially opened to the public shortly after dedication program at 11:00 a.m. Keynote speaker for the dedication is Congressman Rick Boucher. After the ceremony a free hotdog luncheon will be served.