Showcase Magazine March 2018

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| MARCH 2018 | SHOWCASE Magazine 1

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CONTENTS

Showcase Magazine

MARCH 2018

THE INTERNATION A L ART ISSUE @showcaseDVA

showcasedanville @ info@showcasemagazine.com

FEATURES

ALSO INSIDE

Max Gasparini

Paws for a Cause

An International Artist in Danville 12

Dental Health

The Importance of Exams

BY DONNA HELTON

22

The Launch Place Reality Check

BY LEE VOGLER

24

PG.

12

Max Gasparini

An International Artist in Danville ALSO INSIDE Editor’s Letter

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words 6 From the Kitchen of

Big Bear’s Wife

PG.

Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast

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BY ANGIE BARRETT

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Showcase Magazine

Meet Simon

BY PAULETTE DEAN

27

MHC

Make 2018 Your Martinsville Speedway Year

BY BETH STINNETT

30

Nine Grams Instagrams From The Area 34

PG.

30

Your therapy shouldn’t take the day off.

Call us for a tour and to discuss a plan of care to fit your individual needs.

®

We Offer 7 Days a Week of Rehab!

Piney Forest Health & Rehabilitation Center 450 Piney Forest Road • Danville, VA 24540 • 434-799-1565 PineyForestRehab.com

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10/11/2016 10:33:44 AM

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3.18

Mind & Play

by Max Gasparini as seen on display at Crema & Vine

CONTENTS

Max Gasparini International Artist

PG.

11

www.showcasemagazine.com| |MARCH MARCH2018 2018 | | SHOWCASE SHOWCASE Magazine www.showcasemagazine.com Magazine 7

EDITOR’S LETTER

A Picture Paints A Thousand Words In the song “If”, seventies mellow rock kings, Bread, sang that a picture paints a thousand words. In a 2009 article on the Huffington Post, author Maria Rodale listed ten reasons why Art is important.

One of her reasons was “Art says things that words just can’t say.” Both of these statements suggest that art is a language in itself.

In this issue, we take a detailed look at Italian artist Max Gasparini and the friendship he formed with local art enthusiasts Rick and Kristin Barker.

Art’s value goes beyond aesthetics.

Rodale’s ten reasons why art is important had a commonality — emotion. The beauty of a painting is much deeper than the canvas. Art evokes emotion.

In our feature, Rick Barker describes Priska by Max Gasparini how a video of Gasparini’s process of creating artwork touched him and led to a lunch that led to Danville being only the second place in the United States to show Gasparini’s work.

There’s a telling moment in the story where art breaks the language barrier between Barker and Gasparini. I won’t spoil it here, but it’s just another example of how art truly is a universal language.

This show is important to our area. Gasparini is a well-known international artist whose name will bring art lovers from all over to Danville. This is an opportunity to show visitors the great things about our community. It’s also a chance for local art lovers, and even people not familiar with art, to view some of the most beautiful artwork of today. As Kristin Barker says, this showing is an opportunity for the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History to boast its aspirations for future events.

Showcase Magazine is grateful to be able to bring you artwork of Max Gasparini in this issue. It’s only a sample of what you will see at the showing at the museum. We hope everyone takes this opportunity to be a part of something truly special for our community.

Enjoy the issue.

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showcase MARCH 2018

CEO Andrew Scott Brooks scott@showcasemagazine.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Paul Seiple | paul@showcasemagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kim Demont | demontdesign@verizon.net FINANCE MANAGER Cindy Astin | cindy@showcasemagazine.com ADVERTISING Lee Vogler | Marketing Director lee@showcasemagazine.com | 434.548.5335 Sly Strader Milam | Marketing Consultant sly@showcasemagazine.com GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN Brooke Klauss CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Mariah Blankenship Springs CUSTOMER SERVICE 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 | Donna Helton | Sly Strader Milam Paul Seiple | Beth Stinnett | Lee Vogler CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rick and Kristin Barker | Angie Barrett Brooke Klauss | The Launch Place Martinsville Henry County Department of Tourism Lee Vogler COVER Artwork by Max Gasparini 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 2018 Showcase Magazine Inc.

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Only at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History March 11th - May 20th, 2018 Danville Museum of Fine Arts & History 975 Main Street • Danville, Virginia 24541 Phone: 434.793.5644 12 SHOWCASE Magazine |

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FEATURE MAX GASPARINI

An International Artist in Danville

Max Gasparini

BY PAUL SEIPLE PHOTOS PROVIDED BY MAX GASPARINI AND RICK AND KRISTIN BARKER

W

ho is Max Gasparini?

Born in Italy in 1970, Max Gasparini is a

self-taught artist who fell in love with the craft at a young age. “The reasons for my paintings are, as Italian novelist Leonardo Sciascia said, ‘a simple story,’” Gasparini says. “When I was a child, and I was in a storm of emotions, I ended up in front of the famous painting,

La Tempesta, by Giorgione. Was I that child naked? I don’t know, certainly that was my storm.”

Gasparini’s work has been described as coming from a place of “dreams and hope, and disappointments and pain.” For media, Gasparini works with recycled canvas, Continued to Page 14

Photo bottom: A rare glance inside Max Gasparini’s studio www.showcasemagazine.com

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FEATURE MAX GASPARINI Continued from Page 13

sheet metal, wood, and linoleum as bases. He finds inspiration in the history of recycled materials and gives them a new life through the stories he paints. “I paint in black and white on old sheets, cards, and metal sheets wrinkled by time. Seeking a look, I abandon myself to the gestures. I accept the dripping color and contemplate the scraps lying on the floor in my studio, as no one else will see that, but it is part of my job. As in the stories of ancient mythologies, much remains unsaid within and beyond the symbol,” Gasparini adds.

A Danville Connection When Rick Barker was remodeling his office at 554 Craghead Street, he juggled many design concepts. Since Barker is an avid art enthusiast, many design elements involved art. “I’m a collector, art is personal to me,” Barker adds. During the process, interior designer, Melinda Dickie approached Barker with a specific painting she felt he should consider. “It was a great painting of a very bold woman’s face. It was immediately appealing on a personal level, but not professional. It was a bit too sensual for the office. “ Barker kept the photo even though it didn’t fit the office concept. The painting was by Max Gasparini.

Simona and Kristin

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Dickie forwarded Barker a video that detailed Gasparini’s painting process. “I found it to be very powerful watching Max create Yours. The video is set to a beautiful soundtrack. Max’s technique was difficult and original.

The style defines an original concept which is something rarely seen.”

Two years passed, and as Barker was preparing for a honeymoon in Venice with his wife, Kristin, Gasparini’s paintings and the video came to mind. “A few months before the trip I searched for a gallery showing Max’s work. Instead, I found out that he lived in Palosco which wasn’t that fair from Venice. I had the idea that maybe we could meet. I sent an email, and then a follow-up email with no response.” About a month later, Barker received a response from Gasparini’s wife, Simona. Max doesn’t speak English, but she offered to help. “I told Simona about the impact the video had on me and that we would be in Venice and would like to meet Max.” Travel arrangements were made to spend the day together.

“We took a train to Palosco and met Max and Simona at the station. Palosco is backdropped with stunning Italian

Rick and Max MARCH 2018

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countryside.” After lunch Gasparini invited the Barkers to his home. “Rick showed me the video before we left, so the meeting was very emotional to me,” Kristin says.

Gasparini’s studio is a private space, but he allowed the Barkers access. “When we entered the studio, I could feel that we were in a special place. The creativity that emanated from the studio was not organized. Max had stacks of painting with no reverence, he just flipped through them, but I could tell what he respected by what was in his space. The floors were marked with spills and drips. It was truly Max’s sanctuary.”

The language barrier soon became smaller when Barker noticed words written on the walls near the ceiling. “At first, I thought it was poetry. I pointed to the words and Max smiled and said, ‘Pink Floyd.’ He took me to his boombox and showed me his painting soundtrack which included Pink Floyd and David Bowie,” Barker says. The moment proved music and art to be universal no matter the language differences.

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FEATURE MAX GASPARINI Continued from Page 15

Barker learned Gasparini’s painting process. “It starts with a photo. Max makes a sketch, tapes it to the wall, and then makes a larger sketch. His paintings are powerful and large. Some take up an entire wall.” Barker had an idea during the meeting to have Gasparini paint Kristin.

“It’s a great one-of-a-kind gift for my wife.”

Kristin found a kinship with Simona as well. “Simona and I share many similarities and our personalities mesh well.

She has lots of energy just like me.”

Max Gasparini in his studio

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Barker labels the meeting as a “King Tut” moment where you are fortunate enough to take a peek inside the sacred space of an artist. A few days later Gasparini and his wife joined the Barkers in Venice for lunch. Kristin, being the president of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History, pitched the idea of Gasparini showcasing his work at the museum. Gasparini accepted. “It’s really amazing. We are two couples in different parts of the Continued to Page 18

Reid Street Gallery is a great place to gather with friends!

Bring a group for a fun day of shopping or sign up for a cooking or art class!

Check online for calendar updates!

Follow us on Facebook and check out our website for more events and information... www.ReidStreetGallery.com

MARCH CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 1 7:00 p.m.

Chatham First Monthly Meeting

March 6 Lite and Easy with Clara Gutierrez- Revamp your favorite 6.00 p.m. dishes with lighter, but just as delicious alternative ingredients as Clara or teaches us that flavor doesn’t have to equal calories. $45, minimum March 7 and maximum requirements to hold the class, reservations required by 11:00 a.m. March 4th. Visit our website for menu information.

March 7 Art After School (every Wed., Mar. 7th - May 1st; no class April 4th) 3:45 p.m. - During this 8-week session, students will explore the fundamental 5:00 p.m. elements and principles of art using various mediums to create their own works of art. Available to students ages 6-12. $120 for the 8-week session. Minimum and maximum requirements, registrations required

by March 5th. Visit our website for more information.

March 12 - Women in Art (every Monday) – Bring your brown bag lunch and April 16 join us weekly as we mingle and discuss the various ways in which noon women have shaped art as we know it.

March 16 Passport to Adventure Featuring Ireland – Each month 6:00 p.m. we will feature a different country or culture to celebrate and explore through music, food and fun! The third destination of our Passport to Adventure series takes us to Ireland. Join us for an Irish feast just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. $45, minimum and maximum requirements, reservations required by March 14th. Visit our website for menu information.

March 24, Easter Treats for Kids - Bring the kids to make some fun and 11:00 a.m. tasty treats with Ms. Clara! $25 per person. Minimum and maximum requirements, registrations required by March 22nd. Visit our website for menu information.

March 27, Book Signing with Patrick Womack - Join us for an 6:00 p.m. evening with Patrick Womack as he discusses his new book, A Son of Pittsylvania County Joins the Confederacy, which chronicles the early history of the Womack family of southern Virginia.

March 29 Easter Brunch Ideas – Join us as Clara prepares us to make 6:00 p.m. an Easter brunch sure to please our family and friends. $45, minimum and maximum requirements to hold the class, reservations required by March 27th. Visit our website for menu information.

PP

Featured Artist

Suzy Eick

I’ve enjoyed fiddling with my hands since I was little – cutting up paper and making collages or spending Saturdays making ragdolls out of old cloth, mop-head and yarn. It was a way to stave off boredom and keep from getting into trouble.

After several years in the business industry, I received my teaching degree in art and taught for 20 years. It wasn’t until I gave up teaching and moved to Virginia that I began painting full time.

The gorgeous scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, fresh air and rolling fields in Virginia are truly soul enriching. There is inspiration everywhere you look. I paint places I visit, working from photo references and notes or en plein air. I relish my time in my studio and enjoy what I do every day!

I don’t know too many people who can say that.

Our Gift Shop has Everying you Need!

Jewelry • Bags • Cards • Giftware • Cups Local Honey • Candies and Nuts...and More!

24 Reid Street • Chatham, VA • 434.433.2264 reidstreetgallery.com • FB Reid Street Gallery

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FEATURE MAX GASPARINI Continued from Page16

world with a shared willingness and openness for the show.”

Something Special for Danville The show at the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History marks only the second time, Gasparini’s work has been shown in the United States. The first was in New York.

“This is important for the museum,” Barker says. “It’s

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symbolic for several reasons. The museum is a thirty-plusyear-old institution that is rebounding under new younger and diverse leadership. Our community deserves a great museum. Danville is at the forefront of several categories for communities with a population base of 40,000 to 50,000. Art should be one of these categories. Our artists are just as good as artists in other communities. We don’t celebrate them enough. A show of an international artist

with a considerable reputation will bring attention to our museum.”

Kristin adds, “This show is an example of the capacity our museum has for what the future could hold. We want to expand the art component. We want to be part of the conversation. We want to expose the community to arts and culture. This type of diversity is vital to becoming more relevant in the community. The museum has a strong board and leadership including our new executive director, Kathy Milam. This is just the beginning.”

“This is something special,” Barker adds. “People want quality. They will come if we give them a good reason to come. The city is setting its sights high, and recent projects, of high quality, are working. I firmly believe people will travel here to see great art.”

The Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History would like to acknowledge and thank the following sponsors for helping to make the Max Gasparini Show possible: Supply Resources, Rick Barker Properties, VA Commission for the Arts/National Endowment for the Arts, Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Carbone, Mr. and Mrs. Jack V. Thomson, II, Mr. and Mrs. Rick Barker, Mr. and Mrs. W. Townes Lea, Jr..

The museum would also like to thank Averett art students Wenn Harold and Harper Scollo for their help with this project.

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SPONSORED CONTENT ARE YOU AN ADVOCATE?

Are you an Advocate?

W

hat do you stand for? What do you feel needs to be

changed? More importantly, what are you doing to

make this world a better place for those who follow? An Advocate is someone who pleads a case for themselves, or others.

They must have a passion in their heart, understand basic human behavior, understand power and how to use it, and be willing to go out of their comfort zone to make change happen. But most of all, an Advocate must understand the need to have others join the cause, organizing them for maximum impact.

We, at The Arc of Southside, are Advocates. The Arc is the largest, national, community-based organization advocating for and serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. As a local chapter of The Arc of Virginia, The Arc of Southside is one of nearly 700 state and local chapters nationwide, that are on the front lines working to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have the support and services they need to be fully engaged in their communities. We work year round to promote and protect the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live, learn, work, and play as valued and contributing members of our community.

We do this by . . .

• fighting for legislation to remove barriers to full participation and inclusion • providing services that model the philosophy of A Life Like Yours to those around us • empowering the individuals we serve to speak up for themselves and for others

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We do this because it’s important.

March is national Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and we would like to invite you to join us in our work to help raise awareness about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You can do this by becoming a Member of The Arc of Southside, where the number of our members equals the power to influence public policy and perceptions. Join us as we work to help everyone in our community to belong, and to have A Life Like Yours, because at the end of your road, do you want people to say that you made the world better than you found it and that you stood for something? If so, then you are an Advocate and together we can make great things happen for those who have so often been left out.

For More Information on The Arc of Southside call 434.836.3272.

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SPONSORED CONTENT DENTAL HEALTH

Dental Health

The Importance of Exams

BY DONNA HELTON, D.D.S., PC PHOTO BY BROOKE KLAUSS

D

ental exams are not

only for the health of

your teeth but also for your overall health. Many people feel that if their teeth are not hurting that everything is fine. Your teeth should not hurt, and pain is the body’s way of indicating that there is usually a problem. Similar to ignoring the unusual sounds of your car, it usually costs more to repair. The same holds true in your mouth. If you catch a symptom or pain when it is slight, you can typically fix the problem before it is so extensive and more costly.

Your Teeth Your dentist will check for signs of decay (cavities), including recurrent decay around old worn fillings and decay on the roots. Roots that become exposed when gums recede are more likely to get cavities because there is no enamel to protect them. Detecting cavities early can save time, money and your teeth.

Cancer Screening During your dental exam, your dentist can screen for precancerous changes in your mouth. The sooner any cancer can be detected, the better the chances for successful treatment. Your dentist and dental hygienist check your neck and oral tissues for lumps, bumps, masses, red or white patches or recurring sore areas. It is especially important to check the lips for areas that may have changed due to sun or tobacco exposure.

Systemic Health Oral (dental) health is connected with your general

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health. Some diseases or medical conditions have signs that appear in the mouth.

Diabetes, nutritional and vitamin deficiencies, as well as hormonal irregularities are frequently first noted in the mouth.

Periodontal (gum) Disease Dental exams are important in the prevention of periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease affects three out of four adults at some point in their lives, according to the American Dental Association.

You may not have symptoms or be aware that you have the disease until it has progressed.

Your dentist will measure your periodontal health at your exams to keep a close monitor on your periodontal health.

The sooner the disease is diagnosed and treated, the better your prognosis.

Changes in Your Health Tell your dentist of any medical conditions you have or changes in your health since your last visit. Tell your dentist of prescription and over the counter products you take, since these may all affect your dental health.

By scheduling regular dental visits and talking with your dentist, you can help keep your mouth healthy for your lifetime.

For questions you would like to see addressed in our column, please email us at dheltondds@verizon.net. For further information about our practice or to schedule an appointment please call 434.792.5416.

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FEATURE THE LAUNCH PLACE

Reality Check

I’m Thinking Of Starting My Own Business

BY LEE VOGLER PHOTOS BY LEE VOGLER AND THE LAUNCH PLACE

H

ave you ever been out with friends and during

your conversation, an idea comes to you?

Maybe you’re lying in bed at night before falling asleep and a thought crosses your mind that you believe could be a great business. We’ve all heard the stories. Popular belief tells us that this is how most great companies are started. Someone has an idea and thenboom! — the next Facebook is born.

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The reality, however, is much more complex. There are many steps that must be taken, and questions that you need to answer before you fully dive into starting your business. First, are you fully committed? “Running your own business is different than working at a job,” Varun Sadana, Vice President of The Launch Place says. “You are always on call. It becomes your life.” The commitment is a financial one, as well. ‘Can you go a

few months without a steady paycheck?’ is a question Sadana says someone needs to ask themselves when considering moving forward with starting their own business. The business owner themselves are not the only ones who have to take on this commitment. If you have a family, one must consider the impact on them, as well.

If you can truthfully clear that hurdle, the next step is brainstorming. It’s time to get honest feedback on your idea or concept. “I’m of the belief that you need to talk about your business, rather than keeping it to yourself, and of course don’t share your secret sauce,” says Sadana. “Start with your family and friends first, and then branch out to your colleagues to see what they think about it.” You also need to have a brutally honest self-assessment of whether this is the right thing for you to do. Just because you like to cook doesn’t mean you should run a restaurant, for example.

Another point Sadana believes is very important is that you like what it is you are planning to do. Again, this will become your life. There will be many long days and nights, but if you’re doing something you like and are truly passionate about, it will help you make it through.

Kelly Fitzgerald, Marketing Director for The Launch Place, also believes this is when being honest about your own skill set is very important. “For example,” she says, “you may be a great cook, but your management skills are not as high. You really need to identify someone to take on that organizational management piece. Be honest with yourself. What are my skill sets?”

A final thing to consider is your risk tolerance, whether or not you can afford to allocate your time, money and resources for this business to succeed. The statistics are not favorable and most new businesses fail in the first few years of operation. It’s unfortunate, but true.

Any new business requires a significant investment, but do you really want to invest your time and money into this business? Or better yet, should you? These are questions you will need to think about before deciding to move forward.

If you are ready to commit and have overcome these initial realities, next month, we will outline the steps to take on your path to starting a business.

The Launch Place Adds IoT Company mesur.io to Portfolio with $200K Seed Investment

A new company joined the diverse portfolio of The Launch Place. Chapel Hill-based mesur.io, an internet of things (IoT) company that focuses on providing ag-based businesses with automated data tracking and analytics, received a $200,000 seed investment. This partnership makes mesur.io The Launch Place’s thirteenth venture since 2014.

The Launch Place, a nonprofit investment group supporting startups in the Dan River Region of Virginia and North Carolina, selected mesur.io due to the position their technology holds in the market and mesur.io’s persistence in developing early stage partnerships. mesur.io combines environmental measurements with advanced analytics, using in-ground sensors along with the cloud-based data hub Cloudera to make it easier for clients to collect data on ground conditions and needs. This data enables clients to manage their turf or crop, reduce labor costs, and maximize output. With insights collected, users can receive recommendations in real time on water consumption, fertilization, and potential threats.

“Our core focus is to help the small to mid-size farmer,” says CEO Tom Rump, mentioning how their technology has helped one of their earlier clients, a mushroom farmer, regulate the humidity, light, and temperature in his greenhouse.

As part of their partnership with The Launch Place, mesur.io has opened an office in Danville, VA, which will create several new jobs and generate economic growth within the region.

Rump believes that Danville will provide an ideal environment for the company’s continued development. “We look forward to using the entrepreneurial infrastructure that The Launch Place provides, as well as their space and business development experience to grow and give back to the region,” says Rump. www.showcasemagazine.com

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PAWS FOR A CAUSE

Paws for a Cause In 1983, I had moved back to Danville from living in Utah for four years. I moved into an apartment on West Main Street, and I was ready for a pet of my own. I decided since I worked full-time I would get a parakeet or other small animal. This was over 30 years ago and there were not a lot of rescue groups around, so I found some bunnies for sale.

Before I went home, I went to my parents’ house to show them my new little friend. Billy, my mother’s brother, came out of his room and looked. Billy was the sweetest human ever born into this world.

Born with Down Syndrome, he had come to live with my parents when his parents passed away. Billy loved to watch old movies on television and amazed us with his knowledge of them. When he saw my new white rabbit, he said, “His name is Harvey,” referring to the name of a rabbit in a Jimmy Stewart movie. I was not prepared to disappoint Billy, so I named my rabbit Harvey.

WRITTEN BY PAULETTE DEAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY

hop around the apartment. I worried about him all day, afraid that he was bored and lonely. I bought many books about how to take care of rabbits. Harvey went with me to family dinners and parties.

After a few weeks, though, Harvey became sick. Despite two rounds of antibiotics, the veterinarian said nothing more could be done, and he helped Harvey go to heaven.

I learned a lot from my first experience with a pet of my own. Rabbits are wonderful creatures, but they have very specific physical and psychological needs. Before parents buy bunnies for Easter gifts, we urge them to fully research their needs. If a family is ready to offer a lifetime commitment to a rabbit, then we hope that they will visit the

MEET SIMON Simon is a five-month-old sealpoint little guy that came to us as a stray.

I absolutely fell in love with my Harvey. I could not wait to come home from work to let him out of his cage so he would

adoptable ones at a shelter.

DANVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY

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FEATURE BIG BEAR’S WIFE

From the Kitchen of

Big Bear’s Wife Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast WRITTEN BY ANGIE BARRETT OF BIGBEARSWIFE.COM PHOTO BY ANGIE BARRETT

This is one of favorite slow cooker recipes. Slow Cooker Pot Roast is made up of just a few simple ingredients and we love to serve it over cheesy mashed potatoes.

INGREDIENTS

on the Sly

BY SLY STRADER MILAM

FACTS

3 pounds chuck roast 16 ounces (1 pound) baby carrots 16 ounces sliced mushrooms 1 (1.5 oz) packet of beef stew seasoning mix 4 1/2 cups water 1 tablespoon corn starch 1 tablespoon water Mashed potatoes (for serving)

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• The flower of March is the daffodil, and the birthstone is the aquamarine.

• Alexander Graham Bell made the first ever phone

call on 10 March 1876. He called his assistant and said “Mr Watson, come here. I want to see you.”

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INSTRUCTIONS • • • • •

•

•

Add roast to crock pot bowl.

Add carrots and mushroom slices.

Add in seasoning mix and water.

Stir slightly.

Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender.

Once cooked, mix together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of water.

Add it to the slow cooker bowl and stir.

Turn off heat and let sit for 15 minutes.

Serve over mashed potatoes.

• Pteronophobia is the fear of being tickled.

• When hippos are upset their sweat turns red.

• If you lift a kangaroo’s tail off the ground it can’t hop.

Mr. Jessie Barksdale

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Fisher & Watkins Funeral Home, Inc.

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EXPLORE MARTINSVILLE

Make 2018 Your Martinsville Speedway Year WRITTEN BY BETH STINNETT PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

Spring race week at the iconic Martinsville Speedway is almost here and Martinsville-Henry County is ready to open our town to the thousands of NASCAR fans who will move in for the week. Have you ever experienced the shorttrack racing first-hand on the half mile of mayhem? Has it been a while? Or do you visit the track on a regular basis?

Whatever the case may be, the excitement is in the air as we patiently await the activities of the STP 500 weekend, and we want you to be a part of it.

Recently, Martinsville Speedway won awards for “the Best Two Races of the 2017 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Season,” as voted by the fans. What does that mean you

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may ask? That means that between all the high-octane action at every NASCAR track during last year’s season, fellow NASCAR fans said their top two favorite races were the STP 500 and the First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway. So, when we say we think you will love our track, you don’t have to just take our word for it.

The STP 500 is Sunday, March 25 and is the first shorttrack race of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. Last year, Brad Keselowski held off Kyle Busch for the victory in the race that was voted by fans as the second-best race of the season; only behind Martinsville’s fall race.

New to the Martinsville Speedway? If so, we can help.

Before you hear those magic words, “Drivers start your engines,” let us help you prepare for your first race day at Martinsville Speedway.

What time do I arrive? Where do I park? What can I take in? How do I dress? We can answer these questions for you, but should you need more background information, be sure to call the Martinsville-Henry County Visitor Center at 1.888.722.3498 or the Martinsville Speedway at 1.877.

RACE.TIX. One of our most commonly asked questions is, what time should I arrive at the Speedway? This can be a difficult question. Depending on what pre-race activities you are interested in, that time can vary significantly. The STP 500 officially begins at 2:00 p.m. Allow yourself time to park, find your seats and browse the pre-race activities and demonstrations as well as the souvenir and hospitality area beforehand. As a local NASCAR & Martinsville Speedway fan, I usually am at the track between 8 and 9 a.m. on race day. Don’t worry about arriving too early because there is always lots of entertainment leading up to the race.

Fan gates officially open at 9 a.m. Be sure to look for the VisitMartinsville team at the Speedway and around town throughout the week and weekend. We can provide you with local information and will be giving away free souvenirs.

Martinsville Speedway offers their fans free parking in the fields adjacent to the track. Many recent updates have improved the parking areas as well as accessibility and the speedway now offers Premier Parking where you can park right next to the track in your reserved, paved space.

Contact Martinsville Speedway for pricing information.

Or if you prefer you may also choose to park along the roadside of Business 220 as many local business and homeowners open their property for race fans to park for a fee. Your choice: free parking in the fields or pay a fee to park along the roadside. Fans that choose to pay to park usually do so because it’s quicker to get out and you typically avoid the traffic.

The concession stands are wonderful but if you choose to bring your own snacks and drinks, remember that coolers can be no larger than 14” X 14” X14” (wheels and telescoping handles are not permitted).

As far as dressing is concerned- have layers and dress comfortably. The average daytime high in Martinsville in late March is around 65 degrees.

If you have visited the track or ordered your tickets online already, you should have received the official Martinsville Speedway Fan Guide which covers many topics of interest to help your race day experience flow more smoothly.

Information such as cooler/bag limitations, parking information, handicap accessibility, facilities map, etc. is included.

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EXPLORE MARTINSVILLE

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Even though this is your first time attending a race at the Martinsville Speedway, I’m sure you have heard of The Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog. No trip to the speedway is complete until you’ve had one, or two, or three... Did you know many of the NASCAR drivers and team members keep a running tally on the beams in the pit area of how many hotdogs they’ve eaten over the weekend?

If you are close enough to the area, you may stop by the Speedway to purchase your tickets if you haven’t already done so. The ticket box is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for the race start at $46 for adults and are now on sale. To purchase tickets, call 877.RACE. TIX or visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

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New this year, Martinsville Speedway recently announced “Fast Fridays” fan events throughout the year, giving fans the opportunity to visit and to drive around the 0.526-mile track. For $20, fans get a dozen laps around the historic facility behind a pace car at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. My Martinsville members will be able to participate in one Fast Friday event for free. Remaining event dates are: March 2, April 6, May 4, June 8, Friday, June 15, June 22, July 13, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 9, December 7, December 14, and December 21. If you can’t make it to Martinsville for the NASCAR races but you want to experience the speedway this year, get here for one of the Fast Fridays. Or come back after the STP 500 and get the whole experience.

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FEBRUARY 2018

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Every heartbeat, every moment It’s because of the special moments you share that we take your care so seriously.

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