December 13, 2023
Volume 3, Number 42
Meeting more from the Millwald
In addition to a new executive director, the Millwald Theatre in Wytheville relies on a team of hard-working folks to make the magic happen. Here are few of them: Suzy Booth serves as the Millwald’s technical director.
After graduating from Clemson University with a degree in theatrical lighting design, Booth headed to New York City, where she worked for several years as a production electrician off-Broadway. Once relocating to Denver, Colorado, Booth transitioned
to architectural lighting design and met her husband, a native of West Virginia. After spending a decade in Colorado, the couple moved closer to family, settling in Wytheville because, as she said they “couldn’t be more enamored by this lovely town.”
Booth said she didn’t expect to work in theater again, but jumped at the opportunity to serve in that capacity at the Millwald. “Best decision ever,” she said. Wytheville native Martin Paisley serves as operations
director for the Main Street theater. While earning a bachelor’s degree in business management from Radford University, Paisley worked in the restaurant industry. After graduation, he worked at an accounting firm.
United Way funds foundation
Life Lessons BY KAYSON RICHARDSON 4-H Teen Club Secretary
Thursday and Friday, Nov. 10 and 11, 4H and high school SCA teen members from all over Smyth Coun-
ty had the opportunity to volunteer and make third-grade marketplace happen. Smyth County third-graders had the opportunity to go to the Smyth County Career and Technology Center and learn about their economic choices and the effect they
have on their day-to-day lives. Many kids learned to prioritize basic needs over wants, and how many things they don’t think about having to pay for while living with their parents/
See LIFE, Page 3
United Way of Southwest Virginia is excited to announce a funding commitment of $1.5 million from the Anne and Gene Worrell Foundation (formerly the Genan Foundation) for the Regional Workforce and Child Development Hub. “Anne and Gene Worrell, the foundation’s founders, were known for their compassion of all living things and their loyalty to Virginia and its people-first-generation college students who believed in educational opportunities for all,” explained Shannon Worrell, Vice President, on behalf of the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation Board. “They were also innovative, a quality we believe this project embodies. Our gift is a natural way for the board of directors to honor and continue Anne and Gene’s legacy.” Located in the heart of Southwest Virginia, the 87,000-square-foot facility is expected to be open and fully operational in August 2024. It will house an early childhood development center that can serve 300 children, GO TEC STEM labs for teacher training, and a shared services alliance that will strengthen existing early childhood care and education providers through back-office support and group purchasing power. “The creation of this regional work-
See FUNDING, Page 3
ARC funds Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded $25,000 to the Wy-
theville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce through the ARC Ready Non-profits Capacity Building initiative.
“This $25,000 investment by the Appalachian Regional Commission will go a long ways towards helping the Wy-
theville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce grow and expand through software and technology upgrades, the development
and implementation of a marketing plan, and the creation of a Chamber 501(c)3 Foundation.”