The Southwest Virginia Sun Wythe August/September

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Wythe County August/September 2024

Shining Star

Wytheville’s own Rosa Lee Jude was named the Shining Star Tourism Executive of the Year at the fifth annual Celebrate Tourism Summit at the Wytheville Meeting Center.

The summit, presented by Jude’s Visit Wytheville, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Friends of Southwest Virginia, was held Tuesday.

See STAR, Page 5

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Progress Park gets $5.1 M The availability of ready sites in Wythe County’s aptly named Progress Park will soon get a boost. On Thursday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that $5.1 million would be awarded for a major site development project in Wythe County that will yield a new, graded property in the park to market.

See PROGRESS, Page 3

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August/September 2024

The face, name of quality buildings, woodwork For more than two decades, Wayne Yoder has been the face of quality buildings and woodwork in Rural Retreat and beyond. In 2002, he founded Yoder Woodcrafters, an outdoor furniture company.

More recently, in 2019, his brother-inlaw Joe Yoder partnered with Premier Portable Buildings, a large manufacturer based in South Fulton, Tennessee. He subsequently seized the opportunity to purchase the former JZ Utility Barns business, which had been in operation since 2001. This would become Yoder Quality Buildings.

While serving customers with optimalquality structures at an affordable price is important, Wayne Yoder says it is just as important to establish a solid working environment for his employees and especially to build an honest, trusting relationship within their clientele and community.

“We really value fam-

the Zook brothers, who previously owned JZ Utility Barns, still work here.”

Building relationships with any and everyone who enters through the doors of Yoder Quality Buildings remains of the utmost importance to its proprietors, regardless as to whether or not all of them become actual paying customers.

“We love to sell a building,” Yoder admitted. “But even if someone comes in needing someone to talk to, we value that, too.” ily and community,” he said. “Our proudest achievements are building relationships with really great people and developing a business based on biblical values.”

Yoder emphasized the company’s slogan, “Building relationships one structure at a time,” as its basic mission statement. Obviously, family is at the core of the business.

Yoder ironically pointed out that, although he and his brother-in-

law share the same last name, they have no blood relation in terms of their surname. Nevertheless, a familial bond has served as the glue that has held the business together.

Joe hired Wayne to manage sales and marketing after the two of them had previously partnered during African mission trips to Kenya.

“We have several other family members who work with us,” Yoder noted. “A couple of

He says that although most visitors come to the business to discuss buildings, conversations often lead to the discussion of other, more personal matters, which Yoder says are just as important.

“Sometimes, we serve them with a building and sometimes not,” he stated. “Sometimes, we just pray with people who are going through something.”

In addition to customers, Yoder says it is important to maintain a solid relationship with their parent com-

pany, Premier Portable Buildings.

“They are a great company and an excellent support system for us,” he said. “We want to do a good job representing them, making sure our bases are covered and that we serve well.”

“The trickiest thing in any business is make sure that there is open communication, love and respect and a great understanding of one another,” he cautioned.

“This is especially true of a family business.”

See YODER, Page 4

BUILDING

relationships one structure at a time!

Rural Retreat church honored

Rural Retreat United Methodist Church was recognized for its members outstanding service work.

The church has long been a beacon of care and servitude to the people of the community, with volunteers who have taken part in the Agape Food Program, HOPE Packs, the annual community

Christmas toy giveaway and the CarePortal program.

At the national CarePortal conference held in Kansan City, the church was recognized as the National Church of the Year.

The CarePortal program is designed to connect the community to provide for the needs of foster families

and children. In 2023, out of the 731 children across eight counties served by SWVA Crossroad, Rural Retreat United Methodist Church served 173 of them – or 25 percent.

Out of the $171,126 of economic impact the group accounted for, RRUMC provided 33 percent or $56,388.

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PAGE 3

August/September 2024

Progress: Park pulls in $5.1 million From Page 1

Staff from the Joint IDA of Wythe County applied for these competitive funds earlier this year as part of the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program administered by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

“Business-ready sites drive and accelerate economic growth, and our continued investments in site development position the Commonwealth to compete to win transformative projects that will bring hundreds and thousands of jobs to Virginia,” said Youngkin.

“A growing inventory of project-ready sites is a huge competitive advantage, and our investments in the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program were a big factor in Virginia being named America’s Top State for Business.

Before we took office, Virginia was significantly behind our competitor states. We must continue the concerted effort we've made to invest in sites over the course of my administration and we’re looking forward to Virginians seeing the benefits of this work in the future.”

“Virginia has worked strategically to create a diverse portfolio of project-ready sites to meet company needs in a variety of target sectors,

and these grants are a primary reason why Virginia is recognized as a national leader in site development,” said VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi.

“I am incredibly proud of the results of the program’s efforts. This investment in Virginia’s infrastructure will continue to accelerate economic development in every region of the Commonwealth for years to come.”

Virginia’s Business Ready Sites Program is designed to bring more high-potential, marketready sites to the Commonwealth’s inventory of properties. This initiative was developed by a team of state, regional, and local stakeholders including VEDP, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, as well as representatives from railroads, utilities, engineering firms, business, and industry.

The local team worked with the engineering firm Dewberry to develop the proposal.

Progress Park has been the beneficiary of significant planning and investment since it was acquired 25 years ago by the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. Local leadership furthered the attractiveness of the 1210-acre park by undertaking significant improvement projects

to install and upfit infrastructure framework, to grow utility capacity, to develop rail capacity, and to prepare sites for construction.

State Sen. Travis Hackworth, who represents part of Wythe County in the Senate of Virginia said, “Investment in ready sites is a major priority for Virginia’s elected leaders. We know that Southwest Virginia can compete with anywhere in the world on the strength of our workforce and quality of life. With a shovel-ready site such as what Lot 10 in Progress Park will provide, we will better compete for high quality jobs and investment.”

“Wythe County’s leadership has an established tradition of making long term investments in our community’s future. Prepared sites are not optional in today’s competitive landscape. We look forward to partnering with the Joint IDA team to develop Lot 10 in Progress Park,” said Chairman Brian Vaught of the Wythe County Board of Supervisors. “This work will further cement our position as a great place to do business and it represents an important step we are taking in securing a strong future for our

Reep coming to the Millwald

National touring comedian Jon Reep is

bringing his contemporary country point of

view to The Millwald on See REEP, Page 4

local economy.”

Michael Cole, Chairman of the Joint IDA of Wythe County Board of Directors, commented, “Our board joins in celebrating the award of this significant grant.

Site development is a high priority for us, and we look forward to starting the process.

Lot 10 will fast become a highly marketable site in Southwest Virginia, and we appreciate the diligence that moves this effort forward.”

Investment in the park since 1999 by Wythe County leaders and other public and

private sector partners have enabled Somic America, Gatorade, Lane Enterprises, Amcor, Atsumi Car Equipment, and Coalfield Services, Inc., to establish thriving operations that employ over 1,100 people.

“A parallel VDOT-led project will culminate in a direct transportation link between the I-77/I-81 corridor and Progress Park. The road will enter the park along the southern perimeter of Lot 10.

This serves to further enhance Wythe County’s transportation infrastructure and our

competitive edge,” said Stephen Bear, Wythe County Administrator.

“VBRSP and its collaborative approach are compelling. Without the major support from the Commonwealth, projects like this might not otherwise be practical. Thanks to leadership and vision from elected leaders including the Governor, the General Assembly, and from Wythe County, this investment will pay dividends for years to come,” added David Manley, Executive Director of the Joint IDA of Wythe County.

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August/September 2024

SwVa Sun

Serving Bland, Smyth and Wythe counties.

News Get it in We welcome all your news - from birth announcements to obituaries and everything in between.

If you have something to share, shoot us an email at SwvaSun@gmail.com

Our Philosophy We believe in Southwest Virginia and want to make sure that all of us continue to have access to information that enriches our lives.

With your help, we can be THE news source for our region. We ask for submissions so that we can be your community-driven, grassroots news service.

Contact Us We are published online daily at www.SwvaSun. com and every month in newspaper form. To reach us, email swvasun@gmail. com.

P.O. Box 1003 Wytheville VA 24382 Phone: 276-200-4137

Advertising We don’t charge for reading the news, which means we rely on advertisers who see the value in connecting with folks like you who want to read True.

Local. News. So give those good people your business.

Let them know that you saw their ads here.

Help Wanted The Sun is growing and looking for contractors to cover news, features and sports and for sales reps to service and develop accounts. Contact us at swvasun@gmail.com.

Jonas retiring from Farm Credit Farm Credit of the Virginias (FCV), a regional lending cooperative that serves Virginia, West Virginia and western Maryland, announced that Mike Jonas, lending director, will retire August 31, 2024 after 26 years with the Association.

Jonas is a Wytheville native and graduate of Radford University. He gained ten years of experience in commercial

banking before joining Farm Credit as a loan officer in the Wytheville branch. Over the years, he advanced to several leadership positions, including branch manager, regional sales and lending manager, director of sales and marketing, and finally his current role of lending director, a position he’s held since early 2021.

Reflecting on his time at Farm Credit, Jonas is proud of contributions he has made to the Association. “I am glad to have had the opportunity to hire some great people over the years, many of whom are now becoming key leaders within the Association.” When asked what he will miss most about Farm Credit, Jonas said, “I will miss the people I

have worked with and our customer-owners.”

Michael Almond, chief lending officer, shared, “Mike’s steadfast commitment to Farm Credit and our customer-owners will be missed. His knowledge, passion and leadership have been great assets to the Association for more than two decades. Mike has been instrumental in establishing a strong

foundation for lending success here at FCV and we look forward to building on that success going forward.”

Jonas is grateful to everyone who has been a part of his Farm Credit journey. He is looking forward to spending more time on his many hobbies, including traveling, golfing, fly fishing, cycling, hiking and woodworking.

Reep: Comedian at the Millwald From Page 1

Saturday, Aug. 17, for an 8 to 10 p.m. show.

Reep won legions of fans at comedy clubs, on television and in film. He has built a following through comedy specials and on “Last Comic Standing.”

As an actor, he’s known for his performances in Eastbound and Down, has appeared in the Tig Notaro series One Mississippi, BlackIsh, and may be best

known as “Raymus," from Harold and Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay or as “Hemi Guy” from Dodge’s popular ad campaign.

Opening for Reep is seasoned comedian Don Garrett, who delivers clean, familyfriendly comedy with an ability to connect with various audiences.

Originally from Virginia, Garrett now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Yoder: From Page 2

Yoder commended his team, noting that their daily lives being revolved around an individual and collective love for God results in their solid and honest work ethic.

“We are blessed to have developed a team

that is not perfect but works well together,” he praised. “When you have that personal love for the Lord, it flows over into your work relationships.”

Obviously, Christian faith plays a big hand into the success of the

See YODER, Page 5

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PAGE 5

August/September 2024

Star: Regional tourism awards given out From Page 1

During the event, Friends of Southwest Virginia hosted the Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards Ceremony to honor the exceptional work within the region's tourism industry.

Friends of Southwest Virginia proudly

presented awards in various categories, recognizing the remarkable contributions to tourism marketing, visitor services, events, and leadership. These awards were open to tourism organizations, individuals in tourism and economic development, and tourism-related businesses within

the 19 counties of the Southwest Virginia region.

"Celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of our tourism partners is vital," said Kim Davis, Executive Director of Friends of Southwest Virginia. "Tourism is a key economic driver in Southwest Virginia,

from across the Southeastern United States and one judge from England, who carefully reviewed and judged each entry.

Pam Cox of Scott County was named Outstanding Tourism Leader, and Pulaski County’s Erika Tolbert was named Rising Star.

Visit Wytheville

brought home another award with the Chautauqua Festival being named the Outstanding Festival of the Year (two or more days) with more than 10,000 atte n d e e s . T a z e w e ll’ s Old Town Revival was named Outstanding Festival of the Year (two or more days).

Yoder: From Page 4

Yoder family business.

“We believe that we

Brown to play Lincoln Alison Brown as well as Zoe & Cloyd will appear at the historic Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 7 to tape an episode of the award winning Song of the Mountains concert series which airs across America on over 200 public television outlets. The show is in its 20th season and reaches millions of viewers each week on television.

One of the most multi-faceted minds in roots music, Alison Brown is a GRAMMY-winning musician, GRAMMY-nominated producer, former investment banker (with an AB from Harvard and an MBA from UCLA), and co-founder of The Compass Records Group which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023. Brown began her musical career as a teenager in the Southern California bluegrass scene and has built a reputation as one of today’s most forward thinking and innova-

and we're thrilled to acknowledge these outstanding leaders who tirelessly showcase and market our region to travelers."

Southwest Virginia tourism professionals submitted over 65 nominations. Winners were selected by a panel of tourism industry professionals

tive banjo players. She is known for taking the instrument far beyond its Appalachian roots by blending bluegrass and jazz influences into a sonic tapestry that has earned praise and recognition from a variety of national tastemakers including The Wall Street Journal, CBS Sunday Morning, NPR, and USA Today.

On her new release, aptly titled On Banjo, Alison continues her musical explorations on a set of original compositions that explore the range of the banjo. The album features an eclectic cast of collaborators including Steve Martin, Kronos Quartet, Sharon Isbin, Anat Cohen, Sierra Hull, Stuart Duncan and members of the Alison Brown Quintet. Brown is the recipient of the USA Artists Fellowship in Music and the Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Bluegrass Music Association.

are accountable to God for how we conduct business,” Yoder af-

firmed. “We believe in honesty, values, and

See YODER, Page 8

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August/September 2024

MUSIC, MOVIES, MEMORIES AND MORE! tickets and info: www.themillwald.org

Lifestyles n Entertainment n Get Out and Go July 26 to Sept. 8 Wohlfahrt Haus: “The Motown Sound” revue is back to move and groove through the hits of Motown from Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Drifters, The Jackson 5, The Supremes, and more! Join us for a non-stop party with some of the best music ever produced.

Saturday, Aug. 10 Lincoln Theatre: Faithfully: A Journey Tribute brings a lineup featuring superstar John Allen on lead vocals, and a cast that has performed with the best of the best!

The guys "FAITHFULLY" re-create the music of Journey and are always a hit with fans for their high energy show, spot-on vocals, and superior performance. Faithfully covers Journey’s material from all eras of the band's career, encompassing the band's biggest hits as well as fan favorites. They have packed venues on each and every show and are known as "The"Journey Tribute. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show range from $41 to $58.

Big Walker Lookout: Gen 3 is slated to play on the Mountain Top at Big Walker Lookout from 2 to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 11

Big Walker Lookout: Carpenter’s Coalition Ministries is set to play on the Mountain Top at Big Walker Lookout from 2 to 4 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 16 Lincoln Theatre: Re-live the 1997 theatrical magic by viewing "Titanic” on the big screen at The Lincoln. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Millwald Theatre: The Piano Man will come alive at the Millwald from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. as Turnstiles takes the stage.A lifetime fan of Billy Joel’s music, Tony Monaco decided to pay homage to one of America’s most

celebrated singer/songwriters, the original Piano Man. Turnstiles, the show, is now in its second decade entertaining audiences and the demand keeps growing. From their home base in Florida, the band is now expanding its reach and traveling across the United States, performing at theatres, PAC’s and concert venues. Very few performers can capture the energy, style and showmanship that is a Billy Joel show, yet Tony Monaco makes it look effortless, ably supported by his top flight band of musicians.

Sell out performances at venues across the US have become the norm and return engagements commonplace.Faithfully recreating Billy's music with a totally live band truly sets them apart from the pack! So, if you love Billy Joel, we promise you will love Turnstiles!

Saturday, Aug. 17 Millwald Theatre: Get ready to giggle.

World famous comedian and North Carolina native Jon Reep will be making a stop in Wytheville from 8 to 10 p.m. As a stand-up he’s built a following through his hilarious comedy specials and winning appearance on Last Comic Standing. As an actor, he’s known for his performances in Eastbound and Down, has appeared in the Tig Notaro series One Mississippi, Black-Ish, and may be best known as "Raymus," from Harold and Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay or as "Hemi Guy” from Dodge’s popular ad campaign.

LincolnTheatre: TRAPT with haunted Tacoma will be live at the Lincoln at 7 p.m.

Premium seats are $39, Orchestra seats are $34 and Balcony seating is $29.Enjoy the ultimate rock experience with TRAPT live in concert with special guests Haunted Tacoma! Get ready to rock out in this epic event. Don't miss out on this unforgettable

See GO,Page 12

PAGE 7

August/September 2024

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August/September 2024

Yoder: From Page 5

National Night Out ficers, detectives, special agents, tactical team members, K-9 officers, firefighters, paramedics and more, there was live music.

The event included plenty of boats, demonstrations, a DUI simulator and a Nerf gun shooting range.

The national campaign

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More than 25 agencies turned out for Wythe County’s first ever National Night Out, held from 5 to 8 p.m. at Withers Park.

Along with police of-

aims to help promote police and community partnerships in order to make neighborhoods more safe.

ethics and that shapes how we treat our customers.”

That’s not to say that the business is free of its fair share of troubles.

“Sometimes, we run into difficult customers and situations,” he admitted. “Sometimes, they’re our fault.

We try to acknowledge those and go the extra mile to resolve those issues.”

It is an overly common consensus that customers have difficulty finding quality and dependable service for any type of work. Yoder says his family business works hard to remedy this issue as much as possible.

While he admits that there are cases of over-extension in which they cannot complete a project in as reasonable a time as they had hoped, they always to their best to provide quality and expedient service to all clients.

“People aren’t looking for a lot of splash and showiness,” Yoder said in closing. “They are looking for honesty and quality, which we always strive to give.”

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PAGE 9

August/September 2024

E&H football skipper steps down Due to health concerns, Curt Newsome, who has served Emory & Henry as head football coach for the past 10 years, announced on Tuesday, July 30 that he is stepping down, effective immediately. Additionally, assistant coach and offensive coordinator, Quintin Hunter, has been appointed interim head coach for the 2024 season.

"It's been a true honor to coach at my alma mater and has been a dream of a lifetime," said Newsome. "This has been a difficult decision,

but I have to focus on my health and family at this time. Melinda and I appreciate everyone's support and well wishes as I continue my treatments."

In 10 years as Emory & Henry's head football coach, Newsome compiled a 5342 record with six winning seasons. He was named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2014 after leading the Wasps to an 8-2 record and took the team to the ODAC Championship game in the spring of 2021.

Additionally, Newsome guided Emory & Henry to back-to-back five-win seasons as the College transitioned from NCAA Division III to Division II and the ever-challenging South Atlantic Conference.

In Newsome's 10 seasons, 94 players received allconference honors. Devontae Jordan won the Lanier Award as the best small college player in Virginia in 2021. Jay Swegheimer was the ODAC Defensive Player of the Year and a SecondTeam All-American in the

spring of 2021. Kevin Saxton (2014) and Justin Hill (2022) were selected as their respective conference rookies of the year.

Newsome became the 20th head coach in program history in January of 2014 after spending 15 years at the Division I level. He coached at James Madison University for eight years (1999-05, '13), helping lead the Dukes to the 2004 FCS National Championship. Between his two stints in Harrisonburg, Newsome was an offensive line coach at Virginia Tech

for seven seasons (2006-12).

During that time, the Hokies won three Atlantic Coast Conference Championships in four years (2007, 2008, 2010).

Before coaching in college, Newsome was an accomplished high school coach for 16 years. He collected five district coach-of-theyear honors, was the Eastern Region Coach of the Year on three occasions and was selected as the AP and VHSL Virginia State Coach

See FOOTBALL,Page 10

Bobcats welcome new corporate sponsorships The Blue Ridge Bobcats are proud and excited to welcome two Wytheville area staples as brand-new corporate partners for the 2024-2025 season. Old Fort Antique Mall, Inc. and Big Walker Lookout will both be joining the Bobcats as corporate partners.

"We could not be more excited to welcome Big Walker Lookout and Old Fort Antique Mall to the Bobcats family," said Bobcats Ex-

ecutive Vice President of Operations Jimmy Milliken.

"These two facilities are staples of our community, and partnering with them further fuels our initiatives to be fully integrated with and a part of our area."

Old Fort Antique Mall, iconic visibly off Interstate 77/81 and accessible from both Exit 80 and Exit 77 (the same exit for Hitachi Energy Arena) offers thousands of items from over 100 differ-

ent vendors. Old Fort was once voted as the area's best antique mall, and offers an assortment of items for everyone. From sports memorabilia, classic trading cards, NASCAR collectibles, furniture, glassware, housewares, books, movies and so much more, there's a world of possibilities inside their doors.

Big Walker Lookout offers some of the most scenic views of the Blue Ridge

Mountains anywhere in Southwest Virginia. Located at 8711 Stoney Fork Road in Wytheville, Big Walker Lookout has become one of the area's most iconic landmarks for its wealth of scenic beauty. Virginia's oldest privately owned scenic attraction, Big Walker Lookout & BW Country Store has been owned and operated by the same family for over 75 years. It features more than 25 local artisans, crafters,

and musicians that demonstrate their talents each weekend from May through October.

Season ticket packages are on-sale for the Bobcats forthcoming second season, and payment plans are available. To purchase ticket packages, call 276-3352100 or visit blueridgebobcats.com/tickets for more information.

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August/September 2024

Football: Emory & Henry coach steps down From Page 9

of the Year in 1998.

"Curt has been a formidable coach to generations of football players who have graduated and moved on to successful careers and growing families," said Emory & Henry President John W. Wells.

"His influence throughout the region to those he worked with including coaches, referees, athletic and training staff I'm sure is immeasurable. We wish him all the best toward gaining positive health outcomes."

Quintin Hunter assumes the role of interim head coach for the 2024 season. This will be the third year of his second stint on staff and eighth overall at Emory & Henry.

Hunter's first season in Southwest Virginia

was in 2014 after playing for Newsome as a senior at James Madison in 2013. In addition to his interim head coach duties, Hunter will continue to serve as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach.

"Having coached Quintin at JMU and having him on staff here at E&H, he has my full endorsement and support to lead our football team forward," added Newsome. "He will serve our program well."

"We're grateful for all Curt has brought to the Emory & Henry Football during his tenure and transitioning the program from Division III to Division II and the SAC," said Kyle Sensabaugh, Director of Athletics. "He's illustrated the Blue Col-

lar, Gold Standard motto throughout his teams' successes. We are excited for Quintin to take the helm this fall with the incoming team. We all wish Curt successful health outcomes as he moves through this challenging time."

Emory & Henry was recently accepted into full membership as a NCAA Division II institution and is now eligible to play in the NCAA Tournament.

The Wasps will kick off the 2024 season on Saturday, August 31, hosting Glenville State College at 1:00 p.m.

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PAGE 11

August/September 2024

Puzzle Place

Crossword

by Margie E. Burke

Copyright 2024 by The Puzzle Syndicate

Proud Members Of The

PAGE 12

August/September 2024

Go: Calendar of Events

From Page 5

night of music and energy.

Grab your friends and get ready to party at the Lincoln Theatre.

Marion Downtown: The final cruise-in of the summer comes to the farmers market pavilion from 6 to 9 p.m. on the corners of Chestnut and Cherry streets. Deadman’s Hand will provide entertainment.

Sunday, Aug. 18 Big Walker Lookout: Valley Grass is scheduled to play on the Mountain Top at Big Walker Lookout from 2 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 24 Lincoln Theatre: Landslide – A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac promises totake you on a ride back in time to an era when the greatest music in rock was being made and the careers of the legends we all love today were born! Paying homage to one of the greatest and most popular bands in music history, Landsliderecreates the hits from yesteryear, taking fans on an electric journey through Fleetwood Mac’s incredible catalog of music, including the hits from their solo-careers. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $33 for Premium seating, $25 for Orchestra seating and $20 for balcony seating.

Millwald Theatre: Wytheville native and Solution to Crossword:

banjo picker extraordinaire Sam Gleaves will be at the Millwald at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 for an album release party. Joining Gleaves on stage will be Josh Goforth and Hasee Ciaccio.

From touring in Asia and Europe to showcasing his talents throughout the United States, Gleaves combines the old time music that he learned at home in Southwest Virginia with original songs that tell modern Appalachian stories.

Born and raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Ciaccio is a skilled, driving upright bassist, a captivating singer, and a member of leading roots music ensembles. A native of Madison County, North Carolina, Goforth is a highly ac-

complished storyteller and acoustic musician playing close to 20 different instruments.

Secure your seat at https://ci.ovationtix. com/36798/performance/11483452.

Big Walker Lookout: Marsha Turpin is set to play on the Mountain Top at Big Walker Lookout from 2 to 4 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 25 Big Walker Lookout: Central Pickers is set to play on the Mountain Top at Big Walker Lookout from 2 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 7

feature the Larry McPeak Tribute Band with opening act Jaelyn Taylor and 21 South.

The Larry McPeak Tribute Band was formed to keep alive the songs of Larry McPeak of the wellknown McPeak Brothers Band from Wytheville.

Larry's songs are legendary. Band members are Mike McPeak from Wytheville, Adam McPeak from Fort Chiswell, Steve Chrisley from Max Meadows, Nikki Wright from Rural Retreat, and Jeanette and Johnny Williams from Danville.

15 year old Jaelyn Taylor is continuing to climb her way to the top of her dreams.

Ticks focus of series

Pharmacist Keri Sword on Aug. 21 will lead a Healthy Lifestyle Series class focuses on tick-borne illnesses.

Common illnesses including Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Babasios, Anaplasmosis and more will be covered at Wytheville Community College’s Carroll Hall, Room 225, at 2 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public; however, pre-registration is required. Call 276-223-0558, extension 8 to pre-register.

The Healthy Lifestyle Series covers a different topic every third

Wednesday from April to September. The series is brought to the community through a partnership between Brock Hughes Medical Center and Wytheville Farmers Market.

The Brock Hughes Medical Center also hosts team trivia nights for free at 7 Dogs on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

On Aug. 7, the theme will be The Hunger Games. On Aug. 14, the theme is Name That Tune: 8 Tracks to iPods. The theme for Aug. 21 is Boy! We Are Old. Back 2 School is the Aug. 28 theme.

Millwald Theatre: The Millwald Theatre will honor the past and present with a McPeak Brothers Tribute show on Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The tribute show will

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August/September 2024

Keep your pets, family safe with shots

August is National Pet Immunization Month, a time to remind pet owners of the importance of keeping their furry friends upto-date on their vaccinations. While there isn't a specific national organization that sponsors this month, it is a widely recognized awareness campaign among veterinarians

and animal health organizations.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), vaccinations are a crucial part of maintaining a pet's overall health and well-being.

Regular vaccinations can prevent the spread of deadly diseases such as rabies, distemper,

and parvovirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that rabies, in particular, is a serious concern for pet owners.

This deadly disease can be transmitted through the bite of an infected animal and can be fatal if left untreated.

While there isn't a specific national event

or campaign tied to National Pet Immunization Month, many veterinarians and animal health organizations use this time to educate pet owners about the importance of vaccinations.

Vaccinations are a vital part of maintaining a pet's health.By staying on top of your pet's

vaccination schedule, you can help prevent the spread of diseases and keep your pet safe from harm.

The AAHA recommends that pet owners follow a vaccination schedule set by their veterinarian, which typically includes a series of core vaccinations for diseases such

PAGE 13

as rabies, distemper, and parvovirus, as well as non-core vaccinations for diseases such as Bordetella and Lyme disease.

By staying informed and up-to-date on the latest vaccination recommendations, pet owners can help protect their furry friends and keep them healthy for years to come.

Ager Park re-opens with fun times A multi-year project at Wythe County’s Ager Park has kids in a playful mood.

The community gathered with county leaders Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the completion of Phase 2 of playground upgrades.

The first phase of construction of the nature-themed Bliss Products build was completed in August 2023 with the play equipment primarily intended for kids eight to 12 years old.

Now, nearly one year later, the second phase is complete, this time with equipment intended for children ages two through eight.

The completed playground meets modern standards, including ADA accessibility and a design that adheres to the Seven Principles of Inclusive Play. The new playground features age-appropriate equipment and incorporates traditional play as well as musical and nature elements.

“We are so grate-

ful to see this dream come to fruition,” said Kevin Williams, director of Wythe County Parks and Recreation.

“This process has been a labor of love for many county leaders and departments and local supporters.”

“Ager Park is a staple of free recreation in Wythe County,” Williams said. “With these improvements, this playground will hopefully be around for another 30 years and beyond. Most importantly, it is more accessible than ever, ensuring that there is something for every child to enjoy.”

This project would not have been possible without the support of the community, private donors, and grant funding. During Phase 1, the Wythe County Board of Supervisors chose to use $280,000 of federal Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency funds and $50,000 from the Wythe-Bland Foundation to begin renovations. The next phase

relied on an additional $138,000 from the Wythe-Bland Foundation, $25,000 from the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, $5,000 from Blue Line Solutions, and donations from business owners, private citizens and children as young as three.

“Some funds for this project were contributed by drivers who paid fines for speeding in our school zones,” said Chief Deputy Antho ny Cline o f the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office. “We are pleased that the children in our community will be able to benefit from these funds.”

To honor the history of Ager Park playground, wooden pickets bearing the names of original donors and their children are being preserved for display at a later date. Metal animal plaques commemorating new donors are also being created. Upon recommendation from the Board of Supervisors, Wythe County Public Schools Technology Center’s

Building Trades program was tasked to assist with both projects, which should resume

when school is back in session.

Wythe County would like to thank the com-

munity and leadership for their support.

Giving your pets their regular vaccinations is the key to a long and healthy life.

Regardless of whether you keep your animals inside or not, vaccines are essential in ensuring your pet’s health.

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PAGE 14

August/September 2024

E&H officially becomes a university

The calendar month has flipped and so has the name of Emory & Henry College to Emory & Henry University. Celebrations and excitement will ensue once students and faculty get to campus with new University merchandise, giveaways, updated signage, and more.

“This is a pivotal moment in the 188-year history of Emory & Henry,” said Dr. Lou Fincher, Interim President and former Senior Vice President and Dean for the School of Health Sciences. “The transition to university status reflects the institution’s evolution and increased complexity. Over the last decade, Emory & Henry has expanded its footprint to include four campus locations from Marion to Bristol. In addition to the high quality bachelor’s degree programs Emory & Henry has always been known for, we have expanded our academic offerings to include masters and doctorate degrees, as well as new online, adult degree completion, and certificate programs. Our transition to NCAA DII athletics is yet another example of our evolution as an institution.”

Members of the Board of Trustees at Emory & Henry reviewed and approved the new 2023-2026 strategic plan “Elevate in Excellence,” at its March 25, 2023, meeting that included a status change to move from a college to a private regional comprehensive university to be fully implemented as Emory & Henry University by Fall 2024.

Since then, administrators have been busy planning for the changeover. The Class of 2024 was the final class to graduate with Emory & Henry College on their diplomas on May 6, 2024. E&H graduates from

any class year are encouraged to visit www.emoryhenry.edu/about/ college-to-university to learn more about the status change and see a list of questions and answers they might have.

E&H has also changed its web URL to www.emoryhenry.edu over the summer and current emails will flow to the address from “ehc” to “emoryhenry”.

Signage along I-81 will soon change and updated E&H license plates will be available at the DMV in future months. In addition, Wasps sports fans will be a new and improved Wasps icon that is more fierce and ready to take on the competition in the DII arena of the NCAA South Atlantic Conference.

Over the past decade, Emory & Henry (E&H) has added new master’s and doctoral programs in health sciences, education and now business, to its liberal arts bachelor’s degree offerings. Comprehensive universities are defined by Carnegie Classification, for those offering degrees at the master’s level and a few at the doctoral level. Two years ago E&H was categorized in the U.S. News & World Report rankings in Best Regional Universities (South) and ranked #20 with peers like Rollins, The Citadel, Berry, Stetson, Christopher Newport, Appalachian State, Tuskegee, Florida Southern, Charleston, Queens, Savannah College of Art & Design and Milligan.

The new strategic plan ‘Elevate in Excellence’, takes E&H to a new level of delivering on the historic mission of the institution and recognizes the evolution of E&H to its current role as a university, reflected by its multiple campuses that deliver a variety

of in demand academic majors, minors and tracks, nine master’s and two doctoral degrees, across diverse academic offerings. The new school structure remains rooted in the liberal arts while broadening its appeal to wider student audiences, and its expanding role as an economic driver in the region. New online programs for adult degree completion are planned to roll out Fall 2025 as well as certificates for adults to upskill or finish their degree and be successful in the workplace.

“Most importantly alongside our new programs and restructuring is our commitment to our students and their success,” said Dr. Michael Puglisi, Provost and Executive Vice President. “Our emphasis on the new student success center and advising, service learning, a focus on career development, hands-on experiences and professional outcomes, is what makes Emory & Henry stand out. We will continue to have that small and nurturing atmosphere on campus and the ability to form relationships with peers and faculty.”

Throughout its history as Southwest Virginia’s first institution of higher education, Emory & Henry has been an education leader impacting the economic and social fabric of the region. During that time, E&H has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of students and the region. From the 2022 economic impact study, operations and impact from E&H in the region has grown to $96 million. According to the van Vlissingen Career and Professional Development Center at E&H, 96% of students in the Class of 2023 were

Ganley named hospital plant operations director Wythe County Community Hospital is pleased to announce that John Ganley, an accomplished professional with over 35 years of experience has accepted the position of Plant Operations Direc-

tor.

Ganley holds an impressive array of certifications, including Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM), Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP), Se-

nior American Society Healthcare Engineering (SASHE), and DNV-Certified Healthcare Operations Professional (Basic) - CHOP(B). Ganley is also a graduate of the Connecticut Municipal Police

Academy.

“We are excited about John joining the team.

His proven track record of leading healthcare, safety, emergency management,

See HOSPITAL,Page 16

placed in jobs or graduate schools within six months of graduation.

Many in the Southwest Virginia region, immediately impacting healthcare, business, teaching, non profit organizations and other industries.

Classes start at Emory & Henry University on Wednesday, Aug. 14, on its Emory campus and Monday, Aug. 19, on its Marion campus.

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August/September 2024

Wythe educators head back to school

It’s back to school for Wythe County educators!

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, more than 400 educators from Wythe County Public Schools attended the EduPrep Professional Development Day held at Wytheville Community College.

EduPrep is WCPS’s annual professional development program that includes a variety of workshops, seminars, and collaborative sessions tailored to support teacher growth and success within the classroom.

“This August marks the sixth EduPrep event in conjunction with WCPS, as well as the fifth on-campus event,” noted Josh Floyd, Coordinator of Dual Enrollment with WCC. “We are once again excited to play such a pivotal role in helping WCPS educators begin yet another successful academic year. EduPrep continues to excel thanks to a wonderful partnership between WCC and WCPS.” Just a few of the many sessions for teachers included: “Through a Different Lens,” presented

by Ami Scott, Speedwell Elementary School Principal. Teachers explored the perspective of others by seeing it “through a different lens” to better understand how students and staff can have meaningful conversations of how different experiences shape the view of the world.

tinued local outreach.

“EduPrep is always a wonderful opportu-

nity to collaborate with our educational and community partners,

such as WCC and the Wythe County Sheriff’s Department, to provide our teachers an environment in which to grow and implement new ideas for the upcoming school year,” said Dr. Wesley Poole, WCPS Superintendent.

School starts for Wythe County Public Schools on Aug. 14.

Wytheville Community College’s fall semester begins on Aug. 21. There is still time for students to register for fall classes at WCC. Visit wcc.vccs.edu to find out more or call (276) 223-4700.

It’s Your Choice, Choose Access.

“Trauma ResilienceWhat Is It?” presented by Jackie Brown, WCPS Social Worker, Compliance Officer, and Title IX Coordinator. Teachers learned strategies to help students build resilience in the classroom.

“Mastering the New Grades K-1 Math Standards,” presented by Allison Dunkley, WCPS Elementary Math Specialist and Susan Jones, WCPS Math Interventionist. Teachers learned about the new 2023 Mathematic Standards of Learning.

“Unlocking Big Words: Strategies for Decoding Multisyllabic Words,” presented

by Jenny Bird, WCPS Middle School Reading Interventionist. Participants reviewed the

principles of syllabication and morphology to build struggling readers’ fluency and comprehension.

Sgt. Daniel Cassell of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office provided teachers with sessions that outlined common drug use in the area, including signs and symptoms that students may present when involved in drug use.

Several roundtable and panel discussions were held throughout the day to give educators a chance to collaborate and share best practices with their colleagues. Area businesses and organizations were also invited to participate in an afternoon vendor fair with educators for con-

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PAGE 16

August/September 2024

Hospital: Plant From Page 4

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engineering, facilities, and project management will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our hospital and our community,” said Chief Financial Officer Donald Hayes (CFO) of Wythe County Community Hospital. “His broad experience in different healthcare systems makes him an ideal fit for his new role at WCCH.” Born and raised in Bethel, Connecticut, Ganley has lived in various parts of the country, gaining valuable experience at each stop. He spent 22 years in Rockford, Illinois, working with

Rockford Health System, and another 15 years in Pinehurst, North Carolina, with FirstHealth of the Carolinas.

Ganley has been married to his wife, Julie, for 27 years and they have recently moved to Wytheville. He has two children, Michelle and Robert, and Julie has two sons, Chris and Shaun. Together have 11 grandchildren.

Beyond his professional and family life, Ganley has a passion for racing. He competed in the NASCAR Northern Series, with Rockford, Illinois, serving as his home track.

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