Showcase Magazine October 2017

The “Your Hometown University” Issue www.showcasemagazine.com

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HELLO, HEALTH.

Danville Regional Medical Center and Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County are now Sovah Health.

It’s time to welcome health in new ways. Your local hospitals are now Sovah Health. Together we are stronger.

We’re more than two hospitals—we’re your neighbors, friends and family. We understand this region because we live here, and we’re uniting to serve your needs and nurture the health of our communities for generations to come.

From preventative care and specialty care to convenient walk-in clinics and emergency room visits, Sovah Health cares for you during every stage of life. Say hello to caring. Say hello to a healthier you. Say hello to Sovah Health.

Learn more at SovahHealth.com.

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CONTENTS PG.

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Showcase Magazine

October 2017

The “Your H ome t o w n Universi ty” Issu e @showcaseDVA

Showcase Magazine

showcasedanville @ info@showcasemagazine.com

Features

Features

Averett University: Renewed Energy

Access to Averett...

Through thoughtful planning, Averett University continues to grow.

By Paul Seiple

12

Access to Averett...

Means Access to Relationships

By Paul Seiple

16

Access to Averett...

Means Access to the Future

By Paul Seiple

20

Means Access to Community

By Paul Seiple

24

The Young Professional

The Averett Connection

By Paul Seiple & Kirkland Gee

28 From the Kitchen of

Big Bear’s Wife Melting Witch Hot Chocolate

By Angie Barrett

24

DocuDave

Celebrating 15 Years of Learning

By Paul Seiple

The “Your Hometown University” Issue

36

Averett University

Also Inside Publisher’s Letter

A Cog In The Machine 8

He Said...

She Said...

Rocking in October

By Larry Oldham & Dena Hill

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Paws for a Cause

70 Years Remembered

Not So Common – Common Sense!

By Paulette Dean

A look at the first race at Martinsville Speedway.

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By Brooks Taylor

How do we reach the etraordinary?

38

By Stan Jones

Safety for your pets this Halloween.

2018 Rave Awards Ballot 33

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Averett Athletics continues to grow. This year, the university begins competing in three new NCAA sports— men’s wrestling, men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse

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www.showcasemagazine.com Magazine 7 www.showcasemagazine.com| october | October2017 2017| | Showcase Showcase Magazine

Editor’s Letter

A Cog In The Machine There’s a saying— “I’m just another cog in the machine.” Years of using the phrase this way has given it a negative connotation. But, from a scientific aspect, a cog in the machine is one who holds a minor but important position in a larger organization. With regards to community, each citizen holds a minor but important role in creating a thriving community. If a cog breaks down a machine’s output diminishes. If citizens fail to take their role seriously communities suffer.

Here’s a “hypothetical” example of a small, yet significant situation that can have a downward spiral effect. Let’s say you go to the grocery store, and the parking lot is full. You drive down each row finally coming upon an empty space. When you try to pull in, there’s a shopping cart in the middle of the parking space. And, there’s a cart rack not 20 feet away. You have no choice but to get out of the car and put the cart away. There’s a good chance this changes your attitude. As you enter the store someone smiles and attempts to exchange a friendly hello, and you ignore them, still steaming from the cart incident. You just shaded their positive mood.

If one cog breaks down, the machine suffers. The fix for this problem is simple—stop being lazy and put your cart away.

Not all problems are simple. But, if every citizen accepts his/her role as being an important part of our community and acts with the common goal of making the community better than it was yesterday we are headed in the right direction.

Speaking of headed in the right direction, this month, we open the doors of Main Hall and look at things Averett University has done, and continues to do, to earn the title “Your Hometown University.” Averett goes beyond academics and creates opportunities for students to give back and be an integral part of the community. From the annual “Week to Engage” to “Pennies for a Purpose” and many more community-driven events the university proves the point that Dr. Tiffany Franks makes, “Community service is woven into the DNA of Averett.”

Also in this issue, the four young professionals, with Averett experiences, have careers with important community ties. And, David Hobson understands the effect of community engagement and support. Hobson attributes it as a reason his company Docusystems is celebrating 15 years of operation this month.

Small, yet, valuable things nurture a community. Organize a group of friends and take a Saturday morning to pick up trash in the neighborhood. Networking is essential in strengthening a community. Get to know your neighbors, fellow business owners, your children’s teachers, and so on. Build a web with like-minded people to focus on community.

There’s a spider in the jungles of Madagascar named Darwin’s bark spider. Zoologist, Igni Agnarrson, cites the spider’s web is “10 times better than Kevlar.” Not everyone will share the desire for a thriving community, build a strong web, and it’s easier to absorb the negativity.

Tupac Shakur said, “I am a reflection of the community.” That goes for everyone.

Light outshines darkness. Be bright.

October 2017

CEO Andrew Scott Brooks scott@showcasemagazine.com President Larry Oldham | larry@showcasemagazine.com E d i t o r i al D i r e ct o r Paul Seiple | paul@showcasemagazine.com G r ap h i c D e s i g n e r Kim Demont | demontdesign@verizon.net F i n a n c e M a n ag e r Cindy Astin | cindy@showcasemagazine.com C h i e f P h o t o g r ap h e r Mariah Blankenship Springs Advertising Larry Oldham | Director of Sales and Marketing larry@showcasemagazine.com | 434.728.3713 Lee Vogler | Marketing Consultant lee@showcasemagazine.com | 434.548.5335 C u st o m e r S e r v i c e Subscribe to Home Delivery for $24 per year 753 Main Street #3, Danville, VA 24541 Phone 434.709.7349 info@showcasemagazine.com www.showcasemagazine.com contriButinG Writers Paulette Dean | Kirkland Gee | Dena Hill | Stan Jones Larry Oldham | Paul Seiple | Brooks Taylor contriButinG PhotoGraPherS Averett University | Lee Vogler Martinsville Henry County Department of Tourism Cover Photo taken by Mariah Springs. L-R: Mallory Griffiths - A sophomore student-athlete from Virginia Beach, softball player, biomedical science major Josh Davis - A junior from Georgia, elementary education major, RA, Orientation Leader Dr. Tiffany Franks - Averett University President Tobias Andreasson - A senior international student-athlete from Sweden, soccer player, business administration major Carissa Bethel - A freshman commuter student from Ridgeway, undecided major with a French minor, Presidential Scholar, Bonner Leader Showcase Magazine reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing that does not meet Showcase Magazine standards. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned.

Showcase Magazine assumes no responsibility for information, products, services, or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. c 2017 Showcase Magazine Inc.

Enjoy the issue.

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Observed each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) celebrates the contributions of workers with disabilities and educates about the value of a workforce inclusive of their skills and talents. At The Arc of Southside, this year’s honoring of workers with disabilities comes at a perfect time, as the 50th person is placed through the Supported Employment Program!

The Supported Employment Program started at The Arc in 2012, and now five years later 50 people with disabilities in the Danville Pittsylvania County area have been supported in obtaining competitive jobs benefiting businesses in the local community. Businesses continue to report that finding people who are motivated, ready to work, and will show up on time, are among the biggest hurdles they face when seeking new employees. That is why many businesses are turning to Supported Employment to meet the hiring needs of their company. People with disabilities are an Untapped Labor Force just waiting for the right opportunity.

What Businesses are Saying: “I am pleased with Steve’s work but most of all I am impressed by his character and customer care” – Zach Gordon, Supervisor Christie Miller, Director of Operations for Dell’Anno’s said, “If we could clone Lekisha, we would! The dedication The Arc has in ensuring the success of their placements is unparalleled, and what you get is the most dependable, dedicated employee, which is why we now call them when we have hiring needs.

More businesses need to partner with The Arc – they are not only great for business, but for the people they help.”

To learn more about how your business can benefit from Supported Employment, contact David Gusler at 434.836.3272 or dgusler@thearcofsouthside.org

In honor of this month of celebration, we want to acknowledge and thank businesses in our area who are actively committed to an Inclusive Workforce, recognizing the capabilities and potential of people with disabilities.

Supported Employment Partners: Allgood Cabinets Bojangles Chick-Fil-a Citi Trends Dell’Anno’s Pizza Essel Propack Farmhouse Restaurant Food Lion Me’s Burgers Mount Hermon Courtyard Mt Hermon Family Vet Old Navy

Old Oak Hardwoods Outback Steakhouse Red Lobster River District Artisans Sam’s Service Master Sleep Inn Stratford Conference Center Taco Bell Wendy’s White Oak School Unique Industries

For more information about the Residential Program contact Monica Karavanic at The Arc of Southside 434.836.3272

Post Office Box 11090 Danville, Virginia 24543 Phone: 434-792-4110

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He Said She Said

He Said... She Said...

Rocking in October

He Said...

October is always a good month for me but not necessarily great for you. I could be wrong about this, but hear me out. As you know, we both have birthdays in October.

For me, it is just another day, I’m one year older, and I consider myself a very lucky man. One, because I’m on the right side of the dirt and two, I have you in my life.

The only reason I say that October is a bad month for you is because you never like to tell your age. You also don’t like to tell your weight, but I’ve gotten around that one okay.

Before I met you, I worked in the fair and guessed weight to avoid giving prizes. All these years I have really known your weight.

To prove it to you, and I know you don’t want this in the public domain, but I guess your weight to be around 114 or 115. Is this pretty close? I don’t see why you should be offended by a few pounds. I have always been self-conscious about my weight even as a teenager. I weighed about 115 pounds in high school. People called me skinny and made fun of me, but since I was a kidder by nature, I could take it. What I couldn’t take was shopping in the kiddie department for pants that would fit me in the waist. It is all right now because I have grown into the big boy department and I can now shop in the adult-size area.

Written by Larry Oldham & Dena Hill Photo by Michelle Dalton Photography

I seemed to have gotten off track as I am somewhat apt to do occasionally. Getting back to your birthday, I just want to say you haven’t aged a day since high school, and that I am very lucky to share a life of love and celebrations of our birthdays each October.

She Said...

Oh no... I’m not falling for that ploy. You guess my weight and then ask if you’re close.

KEEP GUESSING. I weighed 103 pounds in the third grade and the teacher yelled it across the room in front of the whole class. I was so traumatized and embarrassed that I’ve never let anyone know my weight since then.

I cringe getting on the scales at the doctor’s office all these years later.

I volunteered to help with health screening when my daughter was in elementary school just so she wouldn’t have to go through the same thing. But you’re right about your high school days. You WERE on the thin side but your sense of humor compensated for it and our classmates enjoyed how you entertained them over that and most other aspects of your life.

Weight is a sensitive topic for most women; it isn’t polite to ask a female how much she weighs. You’re wrong about me not telling my age though. I’m the only one who cares, and it doesn’t affect my health. I was born in 1947, and it must have been a pretty good year because I’m still kicking. After we had been dating for a while, we talked about sitting on the porch in rocking chairs and growing old together. I guess after all these birthday celebrations we are getting to a point on the horizon that the front porch and the rocking chairs are coming closer and closer.

Every October as our birthdays come up, I try to decide, is this the year I buy him a rocking chair? Then I think, how would I feel if he bought me a rocking chair for my birthday? And you know, the thing is, it might not be so bad.

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Feature Averett University: A Renewed Energy

Averett University: A Renewed Energy Written by Paul Seiple Photos by Mariah Springs

I

n Danville, Averett University is known as “your

hometown university.” It’s a title Averett President

Dr. Tiffany Franks doesn’t take lightly. “I feel the label ‘hometown university’ is earned not given. It comes from tremendous community engagement and outreach on our part, and the things we do to enhance the quality of life in the region. We take our responsibilities to give back to the region very seriously.”

Through community awareness and effort, Danville has embraced its hometown university. “It’s such a joy to see signs throughout the city welcoming students back and to see staff at restaurants wearing Averett gear on football Saturdays,” Franks adds. The North campus and Frank Campbell Stadium have become destination spots. Tickets

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to Averett football games are a hot commodity. “Every October, Danville lines Main Street with Averett University light pole flags to cheer on its hometown Cougars in their homecoming football game and often the light-up colors in the JTI Fountain are changed to reflect the Cougars’ blue and gold.”

Averett’s continued growth is leading to bigger and brighter things for the university and community. “I remember standing on the steps of Main Hall in May 2008 and saying, ‘When you think of Blacksburg, you think of VA Tech. When you think of Charlottesville, you think of UVA. I want Averett to be the thing someone thinks of when Danville is mentioned. I didn’t think that it would be easy. It would come from Averett accepting its

responsibilities and living up to its responsibilities to give back to the community in so many ways,” Franks says.

A New Class, A New Record In 2008, Averett had fewer than 800 traditional undergraduate students, this fall the number was in the 930, and the university welcomed the largest freshman class on record in its 159-year history. “Many of our programs, including nursing, aviation, and equestrian are running ahead of last year. We’ve launched three new sports that we expected to attract 40 more students, but we surpassed that by double digits. Those additions are more popular than we imagined,” Franks says.

the military and say, ‘Thank you.’”

For the fourth consecutive year, the Princeton Review ranked Averett as one of the “best in the Southeast” in its Best Colleges: Region by Region guide. Colleges of Distinction has once again named Averett a 2016-2017 College of Distinction. “Averett was chosen for its ‘continued commitment to the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes,’” Franks adds.

Giving Back to the Community One of the many reasons for the university’s continued momentum is its deep roots in the community.

The appeal to incoming students revolves around relationships and the environment only a tight-knit community can offer. “Our students have a one-on-one personal relationship with the staff. We are part of a small community with a strong academic reputation,” Franks says.

Continued to Page 14

Head count isn’t the measure of Averett’s growth. The university developed a deliberate plan to fuel momentum.

“We’ve launched seven academic programs in the last eight years,” Franks says. Early this year, Averett introduced the ‘Campaign for Main’ which is the first phase of a planned 10-year, $28 million campaign to raise funds to renovate existing residence halls and future expansions on its main campus. Renovations to the iconic Main Hall are projected to begin in summer of 2018. “We have to create more capacity to accommodate the growth. This isn’t only about where students sleep. It’s where they will live and learn.

Students have been very involved in the changes,” Franks adds.

National Recognition Averett is seeing more national endorsements and accolades. This year, the U.S. News and World Report ranked Averett as the 17th “Best Regional Liberal Arts College in the South.” “It was the university’s highest ranking to date, and it positioned us as the highest-ranking Virginia school among the 57-top tier schools in the category,” Franks says.

Averett was recognized as the seventh best regional college in the South for veterans and was the only Virginia school to rank among the “2018 Best Colleges for Veterans,” as well as the ninth “Best Value Regional College in the South.” In 2016, the university ranked 25th in the nation on bestcolleges.com’s “America’s Most Military-Friendly Colleges” list. “We have a long history of being friendly to our military. Averett has a veteran’s lounge. Our staff works one-on-one with veterans to help them adjust to college life. We like to put our arms around men and women of www.showcasemagazine.com

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Feature Averett University: A Renewed Energy

Continued from Page 13

“Community service is woven into the DNA of Averett, and many of our students, faculty, and staff have a hand in making a lasting impact in the region through their service,” Franks says. Each year, Averett participates in a “Week to Engage,” which is an annual week committed to serving the surrounding community through volunteerism.

Averett’s Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) connects students, faculty, and staff from Averett, Danville Community College, and Piedmont Community College to offer volunteer services to community partners in the Dan River Region. “While the numbers aren’t in yet for this year’s Week to Engage, in September 2016, the CCECC coordinated more than 1,150 hours of volunteer service with 27 community partners during the annual week of volunteerism,” Franks adds. At Averett, learning goes beyond what is written in a textbook or taught during a lecture. “We have service-learning courses that allow students to take what is being offered in the classroom and apply those theories, principles, and concepts to real situations in the community,” Franks says.

In 2008, the Averett Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) participated in the USA South Athletic Conference’s “Pennies for a Purpose” Competition. The program encourages institutions to collect loose change which is later donated to the organization of its choosing. Averett earned the “Pennies for a Purpose” plaque for the second consecutive year after collecting a competition-record $4,396.21 last spring. As a whole, USA South Athletic Conference institutions collected a record $10,084.36 during last year’s campaign. “‘Pennies for a Purpose’ is all about the students. It’s their way of saying, ‘We want to do good and give back to the community.’ There’s a competitive edge as well. Our students want to win,” Franks says.

In 2004, USA South Athletic Conference SAAC introduced “Cans Across the Conference” which is a can-food drive/competition amongst the USA South institutions. Each college or university chooses where to donate its collected goods. In 2016, Averett was crowned Cans Across the Conference Champions.

“Averett’s SAAC donated more than 14,000 items to win the competition for the second year in a row,” Franks says. SAAC athletes gathered items from Averett students, faculty, and staff to donate to God’s Storehouse in Danville. “The amount donated this year is the highest in school history.” Overall, the USA South Conference institutions collected over 50,000 items.

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Averett recently introduced Growing Up Musically (GUM) which is a new music program that impacts early childhood education. The initiative, which was generously funded by benefactors and former Averett campaign co-chairs, Ben and Betty Davenport, began in January 2016 at local Head Start and Smart Beginning’s childcare facilities. “GUM introduces children to music in the early years. This exposure helps with brain development, better discipline, and better attendance in class,” Franks says.

“The curriculum is taken from Averett’s music department to deliver unique benefits to existing early education providers’ curricula and to children. GUM also integrates service-learning for student-teachers in Averett’s education program. Student-teachers work as interns to deliver the 12-session GUM program at childcare facilities and to teach early childhood education (ECE) providers how to incorporate music and movement into their instruction.”

Investing in the Community Another area of growth for Averett is its deep partnerships within the region and its communities. The university has worked closely with Danville to strengthen this bond.

Averett was one of the first to invest in the city’s revitalization of the River District. “With a $5 million investment, Averett opened its health sciences building on Bridge Street, or ‘Riverview Campus.’ “Averett holds an event for all incoming students to the university in the River District within their first week of school, so they can connect with the city, learn more about what it is has to offer, and to inspire them to make Danville their home,” Franks says.

It’s through ongoing partnerships and involvement that Danville and Averett remain close. “Danville supports reciprocity with the university by serving on one another’s boards. A volunteer group of Averett students in the Love Danville Higher Education Council regularly meets with Danville City Council members to share things they would like to see in the city, to build relationships, and network,” Franks says. Parks and Recreation works together with Averett on volunteer projects and engagement events for the students and community.

The momentum Averett is enjoying didn’t just happen.

It was earned, and the university continues to plan for a better university and better city. “We at Averett, as well as the leaders of Danville, like to say, ‘When Averett does well, Danville does well. And when Danville does well, Averett does well.’ This is a symbiotic relationship between the city and its hometown university, and the palpable benefits and renewed energy that can come from such a partnership are evident everywhere we turn,” Franks concludes.

HOMECOMING 2017 Friday, Oct. 20

Saturday, Oct. 21

6:30 p.m. Homecoming Hometown Party (Danville Community Market) $25 per person (must be 21 or over) Dinner, beverages and enjoy DJ Hayze (Averett’s own Stephen Foster ’11) – or skip the dinner for $15 per person, after 8 p.m. Featured is a special visit from the senior football and soccer players.

Visit www.averett.edu/homecoming to purchase tickets.

10 a.m. Awards Ceremony and Athletics Hall of Fame Induction (Pritchett Auditorium)

11 p.m. After Party Join us for the after party at Kickback Jacks!

4:30 p.m. Gates Open

11 a.m. Tailgate Alley Opens (North Campus) 1 p.m. Women’s Soccer vs. Greensboro 4 p.m. Cougar Walk

6 p.m. Football vs. NC Wesleyan – (Senior Day)

Visit www.averett.edu/homecoming for more details! www.showcasemagazine.com

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Feature Access to Averett… Means Access to Relationships

Access to Averett…

Means Access to Relationships

Written by Paul Seiple Photos by Averett UniverSity, Mariah Springs, Lee Vogler

I

n 2009, the city of Danville and Averett University

formed one of the first public private partnerships

in the tobacco warehouse district now known as the booming River District. Averett, along with Danville Regional Foundation, took over the former Dimon, Inc. headquarters building that had sat vacant for eight years.

The building was transformed into Averett’s state-ofthe-art nursing school. It also houses Averett’s Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) program. Averett’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Buddy Rawley says, “I was on City Council at the time and our strategy to turn downtown Danville around was through public private partnerships.” Averett’s newest partnership with the city focuses on student transportation and connecting students more with the city, its retailers, its restaurants and community amenities. This year Averett students

will use city buses to commute to the North Campus and Riverview Campus with a stop downtown at the bus terminal. “These partnerships have been and will continue to be beneficial to both the city and the university. Averett is committed to partnering with others to help the region move forward,” Rawley says.

Averett’s willingness to be an integral part in moving the region forward is a tremendous asset to Danville’s economic development. “From Dr. Franks’ energy, enthusiasm, and visionary leadership, to the entire faculty and staff, Averett is an important partner that demonstrates the ability to provide high-quality graduates in an array of different fields of study. The effort Averett puts into creating quality workforce development programs shows its desire to bring value to existing and future industries in the region. The Office of Economic Development has a valuable relationship with the Averett Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) which has helped connect a great deal of students with internships and servicelearning projects in the region,” Director of Economic Development for Danville, Telly Tucker says.

Under the leadership of Dr. Tiffany Franks, Averett understands that a successful future is closely connected to the city and community. “Our growth and innovation benefits the city and the region, and the exciting developments in the city and region benefits Averett as the ‘Hometown University,’” says Timothy Fulop, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Success.

Averett is expanding its health studies programs and is examining how the Riverview Campus building could be further renovated to house new programs. “We are very excited about all the developments in the River District and many of our Averett employees have found the old converted warehouses to be great places to live,” Fulop says.

Averett works closely with the Danville Regional Foundation which supports the university’s CCECC. “The CCECC has proven to be a great resource to our

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to Averett faculty and staff. The Y offers pool time (with lifeguards) and use of the InBody machine for Averett Athletics and its new strength and conditioning department,” Whittle says.

Work-study students from Averett help with tutoring and other activities in the Y’s after school care program.

Averett provides use of its facilities for sports programs the Y offers. “The use of these facilities has enabled us to grow the numbers in our programs. We are working with Averett to set up a student internship in our wellness department,” Whittle adds.

students as well as the community. Under the leadership of the CCECC, volunteerism and service-learning are now embedded into the Averett 101 class, which every firstyear student takes. We find the more students are engaged in the CCECC, the more successful they are as students.

Averett is thrilled to be contributing to the dynamic changes occurring in Danville and the region as we all work to promote the common good and the health of our community,” Fulop adds.

Averett partnered with Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) and New College Institute (NCI) to create a seamless path for PHCC applied science graduates to enroll in Averett’s applied science baccalaureate program.

The partnerships evolved from a shared commitment to the region and in response to the needs of the region’s workforce. Averett offers its Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Leadership Studies program through online instruction to students who have graduated from PHCC’s Associate of Applied Sciences program. In addition, Averett and NCI work together to offer students face-toface support and other learning opportunities at NCI in Martinsville. “We are grateful to our wonderful colleagues at PHCC and NCI who share in our vision of developing students who will continue to live and work here and give back to this region we all love,” says Franks.

Earlier in 2017, SOVAH Health–Danville (formerly Danville Regional Medical Center) partnered with Averett to create the university’s Health and Wellness Center.

Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Health and Wellness and Title IX Coordinator, Jill Adams says, “The Center allows for students to receive access to health care and wellness programming right on campus. The idea for this developed from our health care partners and was reiterated by our students and their parents who desired this type of amenity where they study and live.”

Continued to Page 20

“Our YMCA loves Averett and the positive impact the university has on the students and our community,” Dustin Whittle, Associate Director of the Danville Family YMCA says. “Our partnerships with Averett are mutually beneficial. We are lucky to work with such a strong university to create positive and lasting impact on the lives of our youth, students, and our community.”

Averett partners in many ways with the Y. “We provide affordable student membership rates for fall and spring semesters. The Y and Averett have agreed on a corporate membership that provides discounted memberships www.showcasemagazine.com

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ARTS @ AVERETT 2017-18 SCHEDULE

Jason Springs Oct. 6, 7 pm Pritchett Auditorium Tickets: $5 Averett Student Fall Art Show Oct. 23-Nov. 27 Jut’s Café & Blount Library

“Les Liaisons Dangereuses” Feb. 15-17, 7 pm Pritchett Auditorium Tickets $10 adults, $8 students/senior citizens (60+) **Mature content**

Women Composers Oct. 24, 7 pm West Main Baptist Church Free Admission

Black History Month Performance Winston-Salem State University Singing Rams Feb. 22, 7 pm Pritchett Auditorium Tickets: $5

AU Cougar Band POPS Concert Nov. 3, 7 pm Pritchett Auditorium Free Admission

Dogtown Dance Theater Mar. 17, 7 pm Pritchett Auditorium Tickets: $5

Low & Lower Nov. 9, 7 pm Blount Chapel Tickets: $5

Averett Student Spring Art Show Mar. 19-Apr. 16 Jut’s Café and Blount Library

“Doubt” Nov. 16-18, 7 pm Pritchett Auditorium Tickets: $10 adults, $8 students/senior citizens (60+) Averett Celebrates Christmas Nov. 30, 7 pm Pritchett Auditorium Free Admission Opera on the James - Cinderella Jan. 25, 7 pm Pritchett Auditorium Tickets: $5 Black History Month Film - “Loving” Feb. 20, 7 pm Student Center MPR Free Admission

Congratulations to the

Averett University Equestrian Department 2017 Intercollegiate Dressage Association National Champions and

2017 ANRC Novice Level 3rd Place Team

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” Apr. 5-7, 7 pm; Apr. 8, 2 pm Pritchett Auditorium Tickets $10 adults, $8 students/senior citizens (60+) AU Cougar Band Spring Concert Apr. 21, 7 pm Pritchett Auditorium Free Admission Averett Singers and Averett Ringers Spring Concert Apr. 22, 2:30 pm Pritchett Auditorium Free Admission

* Shaded events indicate Student, Faculty and/or Staff performances.

For More information about Arts@Averett events, please call 434-791-5600 or visit www.averett.edu/artsschedule

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Feature Access to Averett… Means Access to the future

Access to Averett…

Means Access to the Future

Continued from Page 17

A

verett University recently welcomed its largest

freshmen class on record this August. The 371 new

students come from 16 states and 15 foreign countries. “We are so excited about this incoming class,” says Stacy Gato, Vice President of Enrollment Management. “This is such a diverse group of young people, with many from new regions that we don’t typically see due to the strategic pipelines we’ve created that are attractive to students outside of our usual recruitment areas.”

These traditional students are only a part of the population Averett serves. The institution includes students of all ages, offering more than 30 undergraduate majors, minors and special programs, along with three graduate programs with a number of concentrations Majors range from biomed, to teacher preparation to theatre. And the variety doesn’t stop with the students; the alumni base is just as dynamic. Dan Hayes, Director of Alumni and Friend Development says, “Averett has an alumni network of 25,000 including all 50 states and 52 foreign countries.

An Averett degree can take you anywhere.”

Averett is known for its elite equestrian program. The equestrian department offers a major in equestrian studies with a choice of five concentrations from which to specialize. Ginger Henderson, assistant professor and chair of the Averett Equestrian Studies Department says, “All students receive a strong core education in equine health, management, riding skill, and theory, as well as teaching. Students may choose to specialize in

equine science, equine management, equine-assisted psychotherapy, or one of two teaching concentrations. As part of their requirements, all majors complete a 10-week internship in their field. Students have worked with many top-ranked equestrians in the country, acclaimed equine sports medicine hospitals, therapy programs, equine publications, and large equine retail companies.”

In addition to academics, the equestrian department hosts several intercollegiate riding teams. Averett is home to the 2017 Intercollege Dressage Association national championship team. In addition, Averett was the 2016 Reserve National Champion (national runner-up), and has been recognized as one of the top programs in the country since 2005. “I could not be more thrilled with our recent national championship title. This win speaks volumes about the quality, dedication, and mindset of the entire equestrian studies student body, faculty, and staff. We are so proud to bring this championship home to Averett,” Henderson says.

The equestrian department participates in several events and programs to give back to the community. “For three years, the department has partnered with a local rescue to help re-train thoroughbred horses when their usefulness on the racetrack is over, and help prepare them for new careers as show and pleasure mounts,” Henderson says.

Equestrian students conduct a “spring break” camp for local children to learn more about horses. “The department has partnered with local organizations to host the VA/NC Horse Festival to help showcase the horse and provide education and entertainment to novice and experienced horsemen in the area,” Henderson adds.

Aviation is another distinguished, nationally recognized, popular program at Averett. “We had almost 30 incoming freshmen this fall, putting us close to 100 flight students,” says Chief Flight Instructor, Travis Williams. “Here we are a few years later and the program has more than doubled in size,” Williams says. In addition to a strong, national reputation for preparing exceptional pilots, he attributes the growth to partnerships with two regional airlines that give students the opportunity to interview with the airline before they graduate and receive tuition reimbursement while finishing their flight-time requirements and flight instructing for Averett. “Both airlines, PSA and Piedmont,

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are wholly owned by American Airlines, and they fly mainly in the Northeast and Southeast. These areas are where most of our students are from, and they typically want to stay in these areas, so it’s a good fit,” Williams adds. Averett also has a partnership with Piper Aircraft which affords the university access to some of the best trainer aircraft in the industry. Finally, Williams is proud that the program is meeting the need of a national pilot shortage, “which will most likely continue for the next 15 to 20 years.” Franks notes that one of the attributes she most loves to hear about this unique program is when first-year aviation students express how excited they are to already be flying within their first semester at Averett—something unheard of in most other aeronautics programs.

came to Averett from Tusculum College, a Division II school in Greeneville, Tennessee, where he was the associate head coach for three seasons and helped start the men’s lacrosse program during the 2013-14 school year.

Over his final two seasons with the Pioneers, Mackin was the defensive coordinator after serving as the offensive coordinator in 2014. In June 2016, Averett named Kelly Ryan head coach of women’s lacrosse. Ryan came to Averett after serving as an assistant coach at Division II University of Tampa from 2014-16. Prior to that, she was an assistant for one season at Southwestern University, where she helped establish the university’s women’s lacrosse program from 2013-14, and also coached two seasons as a graduate assistant at Frostburg State University from 2011-2013.

Averett Athletics continues to grow as well by bringing an array of collegiate level sports to Danville. Averett football is becoming the “thing to do” on Saturday afternoons.

Director of Athletics, Meg Stevens says, “Five years ago, we were averaging an attendance of 500 at football games, last year we averaged 1,500.” Averett hosted 130 home athletic events last year. “At Averett, it’s a low-cost atmosphere with a great game-day experience,” Stevens adds. Football is the only sport at Averett where tickets aren’t free. “Everything but five home football games are free. We have great things going on,” Stevens says.

Complete schedules for all sporting events can be found on www.averettcougars.com.

In the summer of 2017, Volleyball Head Coach and Associate Director of Athletics, Danny Miller was inducted into USA South’s Hall of Fame. Miller has been a part of Averett Athletics, serving as coach in two sports, for 22 years. Miller has been head volleyball coach for his entire time at Averett. He’s spent seven years serving as the head coach for women’s tennis. Miller has a .674 winning percentage in women’s volleyball ranking him in the top25 of active Division III coaches.

Continued to Page 24

This year, Averett begins competing in three new NCAA sports—men’s wrestling, men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse. Men’s wrestling is coached by Tommy Owen, who before becoming head coach at Averett, spent two seasons as the head assistant coach at Division I Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he coached NCAA national qualifiers and two conference champions in each of the past two years. His teams also were successful in the classroom, earning a top-14 Division I National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic Team ranking both years. Men’s Lacrosse is coached by Tony Macken. He www.showcasemagazine.com

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“

The addition of the Frank R. Campbell Stadium truly elevates our athletics program to the next level and provides tremendous opportunities for the citizens of our region. The multi-million-dollar project included the installation of state-of-the-art synthetic turf and lights on Daly Field and construction of the 12,500-square-foot stadium, which houses the J.T. Emerson Press Box, the President’s Suite, new stands for seating, a dramatic entryway and plaza, and more. The stadium was dedicated to the late Dr. Frank R. Campbell, president emeritus of Averett, on Sept. 17, 2016.

- Dr. Tiffany Franks, Averett University President

”

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Feature Access to Averett… Means Access to Community

Access to Averett…

Means Access to Community

Continued from Page 21

I

n 2014, the Center for Community Engagement

and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) was

established to be the regional hub for linking students and faculty with community partners to create distinctive learning experiences and career opportunities as well as to strengthen the social and economic vitality of our region.

Dr. Alexis Ehrhardt, Executive Director of CCECC says, “The CCECC puts Averett’s mission into action by focusing on three areas: experiential learning, including service-learning, internships, and studies abroad; community and civic initiatives, through volunteerism, the National Bonner Leader Program, and national service; and career competitiveness where all Averett students

benefit from a comprehensive career development program beginning in their first semester. By making intentional and meaningful connections among these focus areas, we are able to provide our students with access to resources and networks in the Dan River Region and beyond.”

The CCECC also serves as a resource for Danville Community College and Piedmont Community College.

“We partner with these institutions for Day to Engage, Week to Engage, the MLK Day of Service, and several other regional initiatives,” Ehrhardt says. The CCECC has a partnership with the Dan River Nonprofit Network to provide a volunteer platform, serve365.org, for all residents in the region. “At Averett, we take very seriously our role in serving the region. Part of the service includes providing substantive opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff to serve alongside our community partners and fellow citizens. As the volunteer hub for the region, we strive to provide the mechanisms for all residents to serve, and serve365 is another positive step in that direction,” Ehrhardt says.

“Team Averett” is a corporate partnership with over 30 businesses in the community. “We advertise for them and in turn they strengthen our student-athlete experience,” Meg Stevens, Director of Athletics says. The benefits of joining Team Averett include brand visibility to thousands of fans each year at multiple game venues. “Our partners have been really wonderful to work with, and we are always looking for new business partnerships,” Stevens says.

Each year, as the City’s Hometown University, the city of Danville goes all in to show support for the Cougars during homecoming, and Averett holds its Homecoming Hometown Party. Dan Hayes, Director of Alumni and Friend Development says, “The Homecoming Hometown Party is a time for the Averett and Danville communities to come together. It’s a chance for all to enjoy a fun evening celebrating Averett.” This year’s party will take place on October 20, from 6:30-10:30pm at Danville’s Community Market. Tickets are available for ages 21 and over. Tickets are $25 and include a meal and are available at Alumni Hall or the Averett bookstore. Averett alumni, students 21 and older, faculty, staff, and the community are welcome.

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In May 2016, in an effort to meet the needs of adult students who prefer a face-to-face learning environment over an online, Averett’s Graduate and Professional Studies program began using video conferencing for instruction.

“We found the Zoom cloud-based solution was affordable, reliable, and had a great ease of use,” Ron Lonzo,

Executive Director of Graduate and Professional Studies says. The initial pilot, coined Cougar Connect, was launched to a group of Master’s in Business Administration students. It connected one classroom in Richmond and one in Danville. Averett has since expanded Cougar Connect to include business administration undergraduates. “The ease of technology allows faculty to focus on teaching rather than technology. Feedback had been extremely favorable from faculty as well as students,” Lonzo adds. This past summer, Averett added Cougar Connect classrooms in its regional campuses in Roanoke and Marine Corps Base Quantico. “The Zoom classrooms will also be used for real-time, face-to-face tutoring. The new Cougar Connect classrooms not only provide an innovative learning environment but also expand Averett’s ability to meet students literally where they are and in the manner they want to learn,” Lonzo adds.

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Paws for a Cause

Paws for a Cause My sister and I usually wore homemade scarecrow or princess costumes for Halloween. We were allowed to wear them to school and then spent the evening trick-or-treating through our own neighborhood. I think Daddy enjoyed that time as much as we did. Some of our bags even had homemade popcorn balls or caramel apples.

Then, one year I remember hearing a newscaster —probably Walter Cronkite—reporting that razor blades had been found in some homemade treats.

That was probably my first clue that Halloween was not always a fun, innocent day.

Since then, I have learned so much about it that I dread the days leading up to it and the day of Halloween. Shelters did not allow the adoption of black cats in October, but that has changed, saying the evidence was mostly anecdotal that people adopt them so they can use them in cult rituals.

We remain cautious, but do not rule out adoptions automatically.

Halloween can be a dangerous time for pets, even without the scare of cult rituals. There are specific things that can be done to make them safer.

Written by Paulette Dean Executive Director Danville Humane Society

Meet Simon This young spayed female Blue Dutch rabbit has a boy’s name just because her previous family was given incorrect information. They took her to a clinic to be neutered, but instead she was spayed! She is a very friendly rabbit and her family was heartbroken they had to bring her to us because of severe allergies.

Make sure your dogs and cats—even the inside ones—have identification on them.

Microchipping pets is a surefire way of providing proof they belong to you, and can help them return home quickly if picked up and taken to a shelter or veterinary clinic. As doors are opened

for trick-or-treaters, animals can be scared and dart out of your door. They can feel threatened by costumes, noise, or disruption of their schedule.

Do not give in to the temptation to let your pets have candy. Candy can be harmful to them, and chocolate is toxic to dogs, cats, and ferrets.

If you like Halloween decorations, extra caution must be used to keep your pets safe. If you use candles in jack-o’-lanterns, make sure your pet stays away. Accidents can happen, and the candles can quickly burn or set fire to a pet’s fur.

Decorations that hang can pose the risk of pets becoming entangled; other decorations can be a choking hazard.

Every outside animal is at the mercy of the people with whom they come into contact. If your family loves to have fun with Halloween, the above extra precautions can help keep your pets safe. It is sad to say we really do not live in innocent times anymore.

Danville Humane Society

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The Young Professional The Averett Connection

The Young Professional The Averett Connection Written by Paul Seiple Photos by Mariah Springs

Elizabeth Harris Elizabeth Harris serves as the Marketing Director for SOVAHealth, overseeing marketing and communications for both Memorial Hospital in Martinsville and Danville Regional Medical Center.

ago, I was seeking a much bigger urban setting with a lot of anonymity.” “As I’ve grown older and started a family, it’s amazing to live, work, and play where you grew up because there’s such an amazing support system, and you’re able to help out your family friends and neighbors.”

The past months have been a challenging time for her and her coworkers as they have tirelessly worked to complete the re-branding of both hospitals to the SOVAHealth partnership.

She and her team create print advertisements, commercials, social media strategies, and a variety of other marketing materials. “There aren’t enough hours in the day,” Harris says.

“Working to develop those materials is a big project.”

Phillip Hayes Philip Hayes is a Danville native and a 2004 graduate of George Washington High School (GWHS). After graduation, he went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Norfolk State University and master’s from Purdue University — both in computer science.

Harris was born and raised in Martinsville and earned her undergraduate degree in English from UVA-Charlottesville.

After graduation, she worked as a paralegal for an environmental defense firm in Washington D.C., but eventually found her way back to Southern Virginia. “I never pictured myself living back in Southside Virginia, but I ended up getting a job as a pharmaceutical rep, which was my foray into healthcare,” Harris says.

Harris always kept sales and marketing in the back of her mind throughout her other jobs, but never pursued it until after earning her M.B.A. from Averett University. Shortly after her graduation from graduate school, she began working as the marketing director at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville, assuming oversight of both facilities in May 2017.

Harris says the most rewarding part of her job is working in the same place she grew up. “When I left this area 15 years Elizabeth Harris

Hayes works as a software engineer and database administrator for the Noblis Center for Applied HighPerformance Computing. He Phillip Hayes is responsible for double checking data that comes from the company’s headquarters, making sure everything is correct before sending that data out to its clients.

Noblis Headquarters is in Reston, Virginia, and 90 percent of his team are there while he is here in Danville. He said this makes communication difficult at times. “I can’t always get that face time with them,” Hayes says. “I have to do it either using a phone call or with Skype.”

Even with the distance, the flexibility of his job is the best thing. One day he can work from his office, another he can work from home. “If I have a good internet connection and great communication with my team, I can work anywhere.

I enjoy not having to sit at a desk from 8am to 5pm all the time,” Hayes adds.

Hayes’ passion for computer science began during his time at GWHS through its Technology Studies Academy, which worked to get students interested in networking and computers. “When I was there, it was just starting to grow,” Hayes says. “I just fell in love with technology and computers and started to pursue that as my major.”

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School gave Hayes a base understanding of his field, but he has grown tremendously since starting his career. “In school you do mostly bookwork, just trying to pass the grades and understand the basic stuff,” Hayes says. “Working—getting that hands-on interaction, collaboration, and development— has taught me lessons I couldn’t learn in a classroom.”

Since receiving his M.B.A., Hayes hoped to obtain a leadership position at Noblis and eventually start his own business as well.

Erin Gusler

Erin Gusler The Danville Life Saving Crew (DLSC) is a staple of this community, and Erin Gusler plays no small part in their service to the people of Danville. Gusler is the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the DLSC, handling public relations and acting as a liaison between local media outlets and the crew. Her responsibilities range from preparing press releases to managing DLSC’s social media accounts to taking photos at community events. “Even though I am not on the trucks running calls, I’m glad I get to publicize those who are and remind the community of what an amazing job these men and women do,” Gusler says.

Gusler graduated from Averett with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies/journalism with a minor in English.

She chose that degree because of her love for writing, photography, and graphic design. “I enjoy being behind the scene and making a difference in the community,” Gusler says. “Being in communications allows me to do what I love on a daily basis.”

Gusler attributes her time at Averett for preparing her for the position, teaching her the skills she needed and readying her attitude for whatever situations she encounters. “At Averett, I learned that I can do anything I set my mind to,” Gusler says.

During her senior year, she interned with 104.5 The Dan and produced materials for the DLSC. Those opportunities helped to build her resume and helped Gusler land a job in communications right after graduation.

Gusler has no plans of going anywhere anytime soon. “I love being a part of the Danville community and am grateful that Averett gave me the opportunity to make a positive difference,” Gusler says. “I plan to stay in Danville, work

hard, and make an even bigger impact on those around me.”

John Masi Born and raised in southern New Jersey, the career path always led to law enforcement for John Masi.

“The turning point in my life was September 11, 2001. I was child watching the news from home.

I remember seeing the first responders running toward the chaos to help the civilians.

Police officers and firefighters from my hometown suited up and headed toward Manhattan. The only thing I wanted to do was go help. From that day on, I wanted to be part of something bigger. I wanted to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves,” Masi says.

John Masi

While in high school, Masi took over 30 credit hours in criminal justice and sociology. He enrolled at Averett University in 2010 and graduated in 2014. “I’ve been in Danville a little over seven years,” Masi adds.

A major in criminal justice/sociology and a minor in biology prepared Masi for a career in law enforcement. “Crime scene class taught me how to set off a crime scene, process evidence, and take photos of the scene as well as writing the initial report and solving the crime. Sociology plays a major impact while working as an officer, several classes in this field have shown me how political, economic, and social factors influence criminal behavior which ties into the psychology aspect.” To prepare him for the field, Masi participated in the Criminal Justice Internship program while at Averett. “I rode with officers for over 200 hours observing the job,” Masi says. In February 2015, he joined the Danville Police Department.

Averett brought Masi much more than just a degree. “While at Averett I met my fiancé Hannah who is now a special education teacher here in Danville. Hannah was also a member of the Averett volleyball team and graduated in spring of 2013 with a special education degree.”

Masi cannot envision being in any other career field. “Being a cop was always my dream. I’ve finally made it reality.”

Masi hopes to become a part of the street crimes unit. “The unit has the potential of molding me into a better police officer in which I can learn from veteran officers to better my police work and excelling in certain areas of the job such that of narcotics work,” Masi concludes. www.showcasemagazine.com

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Feature Big Bear’s Wife

From the Kitchen of

WITCH COOKIE HATS 4 Chocolate Kiss Candies (I used Hershey Kisses) 4 Chocolate cookies (I used Fudge Stripes) Orange Icing

Melting Witch Hot Chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS

Big Bear’s Wife Written by Angie Barrett of BigBears Wife.com Photo by Angie Barrett

Melting Witch Hot Chocolate Smooth homemade white chocolate with a Halloween twist! Add on a witch hat cookie and you’ve got Melting Witch Hot Chocolate!

PREP TIME: 5M • COOK TIME: 10M TOTAL TIME: 15M • YIELD: 4

INGREDIENTS 3 cups of whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 8 ounces white chocolate, chopped into tiny pieces 1 cup heavy cream Green food coloring GREEN WHIPPED CREAM 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon sugar 1 cup heavy whipping cream Green food coloring

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GREEN WHIPPED CREAM • In the bowl of a mixer add 1 cup heavy cream and the sugar.

• Whip on medium high until stiff peaks form. Mix in vanilla and a few drops of green food coloring.

MELTING WITCH HOT CHOCOLATE • Add the whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla and chopped white chocolate to a medium saucepan.

• Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Heat until the white chocolate is melted and the hot chocolate starts to simmer.

• Do not let it burn or boil!

• Stir in a drop or two of green food coloring.

• Pour hot chocolate into mugs. Top with Green whipped cream and a witch hat cookie.

WITCH HAT COOKIES • Flip Fudge Stripe cookies over to chocolate side.

• Fill a plastic sandwich baggie with the orange icing and pipe an icing circle around the center of the cookie.

• Press an unwrapped chocolate kiss candy into the middle of the orange icing.

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Feature Craft Beer

DocuDave

Celebrating 15 Years of Learning Written by Paul Seiple Photos by Mariah Springs

O

n day on his talk show, Dr. Joey

Faucette took a moment to

talk about “DocuDave.” “He was referring to David Hobson, owner of Docusystems Co. Inc. Faucette praised Hobson, calling him “a rare find these days.” He spoke of Hobson’s good business model and great customer service. It’s those characteristics that have led to a long, successful career for Hobson. This October marks 15 years of business for Docusystems. “We’ve come a long way in that time,” Hobson says. “We started as a copier dealership and have grown into production print.

There’s a lot to learn. Production print is a different animal—different papers, different stock, and specific machine setup.”

Learning is one thing that keeps Hobson ahead of the ever-winding technology curve which has seen explosive growth in the 3D print market. “I was introduced to 3D printing two-and-a-half years ago at a seminar in California.

I knew the market was going to take off, and I needed an understanding of it.” The 3D print market is a 20-billiondollar industry, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing. “The Danville Public Library has a 3D booth, and the response has been overwhelming. The booth is not only used by kids, adults love it too. 3D is the wave of the future,” Hobson adds.

The great customer service Faucette mentioned is found in every Docusystems’ service call. The importance of excellent customer service was instilled in Hobson at early age when he serviced two newspaper routes. Hobson gained knowledge of timeliness and giving the best service possible.

It’s something that has carried over to Docusystems. “We do things different,” Hobson says. “I love hearing someone say, ‘You’re here already.’ Instead of saying, ‘I called you two days ago, where are you at?’” For most of Docusystems’ service calls, the average response time is 48 minutes. “If a machine goes down, it puts a business or school in a bad situation.

They can’t wait 48 hours to get back up and running, so our

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goal is to get them back in business as soon as possible,” Hobson says.

Hobson teams with the best in the print business. Docusystems is a Konica Minolta dealer. The popular Bizhub model fits its name as “the hub of your business.” “A Bizhub is an all-in-one product. It scans, copies, prints, faxes, and can even email. Take an average HP printer—it runs five cents on five percentage coverage. No one does five percent coverage. It’s more like 20 percent. You’re going to pay around $170 for a laser cartridge. I can put in a multifunctional device that will pay for itself at a penny a copy. A Bizhub can save space, time, and money,” Hobson says. The machines are dependable as well. Recently, Docusystems switched out a machine at local school that had four years of production without one service call.

Even with a vast knowledge of the printing industry, Hobson understands the need to always be a student.

Twenty-five years ago, a friend offered Hobson a job in printing. “I thought duplexing was something Ric Flair did,” Hobson laughs. It didn’t take long for him to learn that duplexing meant front and back printing of a sheet of paper automatically. “Printing never gets stale.

Whether it’s wireless, Bluetooth, smart phone apps, or 3-D advancements, there’s always something to learn.”

In a time when brick-and-mortar businesses are struggling, Hobson has found a way to thrive through learning and evolving. Docusystems is the only Konica Minolta dealer with state contracts in three counties and has amassed over 700 customers since opening its doors on October 2, 2002. As it celebrates another anniversary, Hobson reflects on success. “None of this would be possible without the support of others. I can never express how thankful I am to family, employees, friends, businesses, and the community for all the support they have shown over the last 15 years.”

Lower Heating Bills With Natural Gas Compared to electric resistance heating, natural gas is extremely efficient which can keep utility costs low while keeping you cozy this winter.

Call 434.799.5284 to find out if natural gas is available in your area.

Looking for more ways to save money on heating costs?

The Danville Home$ave program offers rebates on smart thermostats, air-source heat pumps, and HVAC tune-ups.

Visit our website for complete details.

www.danvillehomesave.com | 888.599.0450 www.showcasemagazine.com

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Explore Martinsville

70 Years Remembered Written by Brooks Taylor Photo courtesy of Martinsville Speedway

September 7, 2017 marked 70 years since the historic Martinsville Speedway’s first race.

Lewis Morris was 12-years old when he piled into a car with his father, grandfather and uncle to make the short drive from Horsepasture to the newest attraction in Henry County—the Martinsville Speedway.

It was September 7, 1947, and the freshly finished dirt track was set to host its first stock car race.

“The track was a popular target. There wasn’t much to do back in those days, so everybody knew that race was happening,” Morris says. “I think everybody from around here went.”

Stock car racing was spreading its reach throughout the southern states and beginning to push north and west as the events drew larger crowds.

Morris’ memory of the first race at Martinsville Speedway was not of a famous driver, such as NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Red Byron, who won the race, but rather one of formal wear.

“I can’t remember a lot of ladies going to that first race, but I can remember everybody had on white clothes, like they had just come out of church,” Morris says. “Then, it turned into a dust bowl and everybody’s clothes got dirty. I don’t think anyone cared. We were all happy to get to go somewhere we had never been before.”

Glen and Leonard Wood both shared similar memories of the red dirt floating through the air. “You could hardly see the cars,” Glen says. “Clay Earles advertised that it was going to be so nice, so people came from church with their suits on, and we left with red faces and red hair and everything (from the clay),” Leonard says. “They have a picture of (Red Byron), and it shows that he didn’t wipe his face off when he got his picture taken.”

As more local groups such as the Ridgeway-based Hensley family and the Wood Brothers became regulars at the track over the years, Morris says that he began to have more of a rooting interest in the on-track action. “I don’t think we knew any of the drivers at that first race, that came later when local drivers ran, and we really got into racing after that,” Morris says. “When the Hensley boys and the Woods came along and raced, we never missed a race.”

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With racing’s popularity, both in Southwest Virginia and across the country on the rise in the years after that first race in 1947, particularly after NASCAR’s first season in 1949, Morris says that he even tried at getting into car ownership. “Me and a bunch of crazy boys went out and bought a race car once, and we thought we were going to get rich,” Morris recalls. “We didn’t, but we sold that car to the Hensleys, and they went on and raced and did good with it.”

That love of racing born under a cloud of dirt at Martinsville Speedway in 1947 now spans six generations of the Morris family as Lewis’ five-year-old great-grandson attended a race recently. “Everybody went to the first race because we thought it might be a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Morris says. “Now, we have a lot of memories over there at that race track. It brings nothing but positives to the area. It was the beginning of racing for this area of the country. We didn’t go anywhere, so it brought something to us.”

Morris says that his family has traveled to other tracks such as Daytona and Charlotte over the years, but “it all started over at ‘The Paperclip’ as they called it back then.”

Although Morris, now 82 and still living in Horsepasture, doesn’t make it to the races in person anymore, he still takes pride in being able to say he’s lived his life in the shadow of Martinsville Speedway. “It’s such a part of Henry County.

I’m proud to say I’m from where the track is,” Morris says.

“Especially if you go up north or out west and people hear you talk, they ask where you’re from. Well, I always tell them that I’m from Martinsville, Virginia, where that little race track is.

It’s something that we can tell people about where we’re from.”

For Morris, and for Martinsville Speedway, it all started when the first race stirred up the dirt of the historic half-mile in 1947. “I know that first race started a special tradition for my family,” Morris says. “That first race at Martinsville Speedway got us all interested in racing and we still love those hot dogs!”

The Speedway will be celebrating its 70th anniversary during the First Data 500 on October 29. The First Data 500 is the first race in the Round of 8 of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. If the winning driver is in the Playoffs, he or she would be the first to clinch a spot in the Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Last fall, Jimmie Johnson won his ninth grandfather clock, on the way to winning his record-tying seventh NASCAR Cup Series championship.

Tickets for the First Data 500 are on sale and may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

FIRST DATA 500 AT MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

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Not So Common - Common Sense

Public Schools and its governance team, the School Board, a next step may mean engaging in strategic planning.

We are presently living in remarkable times.

The first three months of school have been uniquely successful largely due to the very positive opening of school in August, followed by significant changes in school climate and culture in many of our schools.

These changes are the result of a host of strategies including: changes in leadership, intensive and on-going professional development aimed at improving the quality of classroom instruction, close monitoring of what is taught and assessed across classrooms, increased accountability regarding non-negotiable goals for achievement and instruction, and an emphasis on relationships. One of the most significant strategies for improving student achievement occurs when students know that teachers, parents, and other students actually care about how well they do. All of these efforts are having an impact on the overall quality of the learning environments in our schools.

So what’s next? To achieve the extraordinary results, we must continue moving forward and refocus on the future. For Danville

Not So Common Common Sense!

In February of 2017, the School Board and City Council held a joint retreat to consider a future vision of public education in the City of Danville. On September 11, 2017, the Board and Council reconvened in a joint meeting to revisit the key takeaways of the retreat and discuss next steps.

Following that meeting, the School Board is preparing to engage in a strategic planning process. As the Board prepares to engage in strategic planning, it may be helpful for citizens of Danville to be truly informed of the characteristics of an effective school board as defined by the Center for Public Education www.centerforpubliceducation.org

• Effective school boards commit to a vision of high expectations for student achievement and quality instruction and define clear goals toward that vision.

• Effective school boards have strong shared beliefs and values about what is

by Stan Jones, Superintendent possible for students and their ability to of Danville Public Schools learn, and of the system and its ability to teach all children at high levels.

• Effective school boards are accountability driven, spending less time on operational issues and more time focused on policies to improve student achievement.

• Effective school boards have a collaborative relationship with staff and the community and establish a strong communications structure to inform and engage both internal and external stakeholders in setting and achieving district goals.

• Effective school boards are data savvy: they embrace and monitor data, even when the information is negative, and use it to drive continuous improvement.

• Effective school boards align and sustain resources, such as professional development, to meet district goals. According to researchers LaRocque and Coleman, effective boards saw a responsibility to maintain high standards even in the midst of budget challenges.

• Effective school boards lead as a united team with the superintendent, each from their respective roles, with strong collaboration and mutual trust.

• Effective school boards take part in team development and training, sometimes with their superintendents, to build shared knowledge, values and commitments for their improvement efforts.

How do we reach the extraordinary?

A STRONG EDUCATION BUILDS A STRONGER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Wilkins & CO. supports education Danville Office • 428 Piney Forest Rd. • 434.797.4007 Chatham Office • 12413 US HWY 29 • 434.432.3009 Property Management • 434.797.4009 www.WilkinsAndCo.com

In districts with higher levels of student achievement, the local board of education is aligned with and supportive of the non-negotiable goals for achievement and instruction. The board ensures that these goals remain top priorities in the district and that no other initiatives detract attention for resources from accomplishing these goals. The engagement in strategic planning is the next step in the journey toward extraordinary performance for our schools. www.showcasemagazine.com

| October 2017 | Showcase Magazine 41