Lost & Found

A kayak with "Tomas" on it was recently found. If it is yours or you know whose it may be, please email pbdivers@yahoo.com.

Lost & Found

A kayak with "Tomas" on it was recently found. If it is yours or you know whose it may be, please email pbdivers@yahoo.com.

Get Active in 2010!

Now that winter is here, it's no time to hibernate; get out and get active with Tuesday Morning Strolls! On the first and third Tuesdays of each month, walk leaders will guide participants on an easy-paced walk at various destinations throughout Martinsville and Henry County.  The free walks begin at 9 AM and last for approximately 50 minutes each.  The first walk will be held on January 5th at Liberty Fair Mall (Commonwealth Bloulevard, Martinsville). We will meet at the former Goody's entrance (to the right of JC Penny's). Participants are asked to bring a bottle of water and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Tuesday Morning Strolls began in 2008 and is a partnership between the Dan River Basin Association, Henry County Parks & Recreation, Martinsville Parks & Recreation, and Activate Martinsville-Henry County. The program is funded with support from the Harvest Foundation. Everyone who joins a walk will receive a punch card to register for prize drawings upon the completion of the season. Each participant will receive one entry for each walk completed between now and the end of the season. The drawing will be held on December 7, 2010.

According to Activate Martinsville-Henry County, research shows that physical activity such as walking helps reduce the risk of developing chronic disease (such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers) by as much as 30-50%. Walking also helps to reduce stress, improves energy, and aids in better sleep. These are all perfect reasons to get out and start walking in the New Year! For more information or to pre-register, please call: 276-634-2545 or 276-634-4643.

January 5th- Liberty Fair Mall, Martinsville
January 19th- Wilson Park, Martinsville
February 2nd- Jack Dalton Park, Collinsville
February 16th- Uptown Spur Trail, Martinsville
March 2nd- Fieldale Trail, Fieldale
March 16th- YMCA, Martinsville
April 6th- Smith River Sports Complex, Axton
April 20th- Lake Lanier, Martinsville
May 4th- Dick & Willie Passage I, Collinsville
May 18th- Dick & Willie Passage II, Martinsville
June 1st- Gravely Nature Preserve, Ridgeway
June 15th- Fieldale Trail, Fieldale
July 6th- Uptown Spur Trail, Martinsville
July 20th- Dick & Willie Passage III, Martinsville
August 3rd- Beaver Creek Reservoir, Collinsville
August 17th- Jack Dalton Park, Collinsville
September 7th- Philpott Greenway, Bassett
September 21st- Jaycee Park, Collinsville
October 5th- Fieldale Trail, Fieldale
October 19th- Doe Run Park, Martinsville
November 2nd- Spencer Penn Centre, Spencer
November 16th- Liberty Fair Mall, Martinsville
December 7th- Uptown Spur Trail & Church Street, Martinsville

Get Active in 2010!

Now that winter is here, it's no time to hibernate; get out and get active with Tuesday Morning Strolls! On the first and third Tuesdays of each month, walk leaders will guide participants on an easy-paced walk at various destinations throughout Martinsville and Henry County.  The free walks begin at 9 AM and last for approximately 50 minutes each.  The first walk will be held on January 5th at Liberty Fair Mall (Commonwealth Bloulevard, Martinsville). We will meet at the former Goody's entrance (to the right of JC Penny's). Participants are asked to bring a bottle of water and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Tuesday Morning Strolls began in 2008 and is a partnership between the Dan River Basin Association, Henry County Parks & Recreation, Martinsville Parks & Recreation, and Activate Martinsville-Henry County. The program is funded with support from the Harvest Foundation. Everyone who joins a walk will receive a punch card to register for prize drawings upon the completion of the season. Each participant will receive one entry for each walk completed between now and the end of the season. The drawing will be held on December 7, 2010.

According to Activate Martinsville-Henry County, research shows that physical activity such as walking helps reduce the risk of developing chronic disease (such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers) by as much as 30-50%. Walking also helps to reduce stress, improves energy, and aids in better sleep. These are all perfect reasons to get out and start walking in the New Year! For more information or to pre-register, please call: 276-634-2545 or 276-634-4643.

January 5th- Liberty Fair Mall, Martinsville
January 19th- Wilson Park, Martinsville
February 2nd- Jack Dalton Park, Collinsville
February 16th- Uptown Spur Trail, Martinsville
March 2nd- Fieldale Trail, Fieldale
March 16th- YMCA, Martinsville
April 6th- Smith River Sports Complex, Axton
April 20th- Lake Lanier, Martinsville
May 4th- Dick & Willie Passage I, Collinsville
May 18th- Dick & Willie Passage II, Martinsville
June 1st- Gravely Nature Preserve, Ridgeway
June 15th- Fieldale Trail, Fieldale
July 6th- Uptown Spur Trail, Martinsville
July 20th- Dick & Willie Passage III, Martinsville
August 3rd- Beaver Creek Reservoir, Collinsville
August 17th- Jack Dalton Park, Collinsville
September 7th- Philpott Greenway, Bassett
September 21st- Jaycee Park, Collinsville
October 5th- Fieldale Trail, Fieldale
October 19th- Doe Run Park, Martinsville
November 2nd- Spencer Penn Centre, Spencer
November 16th- Liberty Fair Mall, Martinsville
December 7th- Uptown Spur Trail & Church Street, Martinsville

Farewell 2009

Take a walk through memory lane with us as we look back at some of the Rivers & Trails Journal's top stories of 2009. Click on each title to see the entire story.

January: Bicycling: For Fun, Fuel Efficiency and Family

Article by: Jennifer Doss

February: Did you get outside today?

Article by: Brian Williams

March: Historic cemetery restored, dedicated

Article by: Kim Barto

April: Martinsville Showcased as Active Living Community

Article by: Jeannie Frisco

May: If you build it they will come!

Article by: Jennifer Doss

June: City Announces New Clearview Bike Lane

Article by: Jeannie Frisco

July: Busy Weekend in the Dan River Basin

Article by: Jennifer Doss

August: Trail System to Get Funds

Article by: Debbie Hall

September: Epiphany on the Smith River

Article by: Martha Smith

October: Work Has Begun!

Article by: Jennifer Doss

November: TU Names Brian Williams Conservation Educator of the Year for Virginia

Article by: Jennifer Doss & Dr. David Jones

December: New River Access Opens

Article by: Jennifer Doss & Brian Williams

As we bring 2009 to a close this evening, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and their Martinsville Henry County Rivers & Trails Group would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the members, volunteers, donors, paddlers, walkers, cyclists and friends who have contributed to our projects throughout the past year.  It has been an amazing year and so many activites were made possible thanks to your support. 

The stories featured here in the Rivers & Trails Journal are typically specific to Martinsville and Henry County, VA but there's so much more. In 2009, DRBA:

--Successfully worked to acquire land for a new state park on the Mayo River in North Carolina

--Opened a Stokes County, NC office; improved access to the Dan River

--Planted trees and monitored streams to protect water quality and wildlife habitat

--Operated the largest Trout in the Classroom Program in Virginia

--Co-sponsored the first Patrick County, VA Farm Tour to promote locally and sustainably grown products

--Launched Caswell, NC Heritage Trails; built first trail for seniors; opened new trails and access points for fishing and boating along the Smith River in VA.

--Preserved a section of the historic Fieldale, VA iron bridge for the Fieldale Community

--Initiated an online registery of African American cemeteries

--Promoted nature-based tourism with new "insiders' Guides" to the Dan and Smith rivers

Thank you for a great year; we look forward to seeing you out on the rivers and trails in 2010!

Happy New Year From Team DRBA

Farewell 2009

Take a walk through memory lane with us as we look back at some of the Rivers & Trails Journal's top stories of 2009. Click on each title to see the entire story.

January: Bicycling: For Fun, Fuel Efficiency and Family

Article by: Jennifer Doss

February: Did you get outside today?

Article by: Brian Williams

March: Historic cemetery restored, dedicated

Article by: Kim Barto

April: Martinsville Showcased as Active Living Community

Article by: Jeannie Frisco

May: If you build it they will come!

Article by: Jennifer Doss

June: City Announces New Clearview Bike Lane

Article by: Jeannie Frisco

July: Busy Weekend in the Dan River Basin

Article by: Jennifer Doss

August: Trail System to Get Funds

Article by: Debbie Hall

September: Epiphany on the Smith River

Article by: Martha Smith

October: Work Has Begun!

Article by: Jennifer Doss

November: TU Names Brian Williams Conservation Educator of the Year for Virginia

Article by: Jennifer Doss & Dr. David Jones

December: New River Access Opens

Article by: Jennifer Doss & Brian Williams

As we bring 2009 to a close this evening, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) and their Martinsville Henry County Rivers & Trails Group would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the members, volunteers, donors, paddlers, walkers, cyclists and friends who have contributed to our projects throughout the past year.  It has been an amazing year and so many activites were made possible thanks to your support. 

The stories featured here in the Rivers & Trails Journal are typically specific to Martinsville and Henry County, VA but there's so much more. In 2009, DRBA:

--Successfully worked to acquire land for a new state park on the Mayo River in North Carolina

--Opened a Stokes County, NC office; improved access to the Dan River

--Planted trees and monitored streams to protect water quality and wildlife habitat

--Operated the largest Trout in the Classroom Program in Virginia

--Co-sponsored the first Patrick County, VA Farm Tour to promote locally and sustainably grown products

--Launched Caswell, NC Heritage Trails; built first trail for seniors; opened new trails and access points for fishing and boating along the Smith River in VA.

--Preserved a section of the historic Fieldale, VA iron bridge for the Fieldale Community

--Initiated an online registery of African American cemeteries

--Promoted nature-based tourism with new "insiders' Guides" to the Dan and Smith rivers

Thank you for a great year; we look forward to seeing you out on the rivers and trails in 2010!

Happy New Year From Team DRBA

DRBA to Hike Richmond & Danville Rail-Trail

Returning to a popular hike in Pittsylvania County, at 10:00 on January 2, 2010, DRBA will hike four miles on the Richmond & Danville Rail-Trail, beginning at Hackberry Road near Sutherlin, VA. Starting near wetlands where wildlife, especially water birds, may be visible, the hike on the smooth, five-foot-wide, crushed-stone surface passes farms, homesteads, fields, and forests. Three miles into the trip, hikers will stop for lunch at the five-arch stone trestle over Sandy Creek, a stunning, well-preserved structure. The hike will end at the Shawnee Road parking area one mile beyond the trestle.

Chartered in 1835, the Richmond & Danville Railroad ran its first train in 1856. During the Civil War it was the busiest link between Southside Virginia and the Confederate capital at Richmond. Jefferson Davis and the entire Confederate cabinet retreated from Richmond to Danville along this line in 1865, probably carrying the Confederate treasury with them before it mysteriously disappeared.

Preserved by the Dan River Trail Association for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, the R&D rail-trail is projected to be part of the Beaches to Bluegrass trail system that will cross southern Virginia.

Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the eastern terminus of the trail, located on Hackberry Road (GPS coordinates: North 36°37'28.37" West 79°11'58.44"). Trip coordinator Paul Johnson advises, "Wear stout shoes, dress in layers and bring lunch, water, a camera and a good hiking stick." All participants will be asked to sign a waiver form.

Directions:

From South Boston, travel west on U.S. 58 about 3 miles past the intersection of Highway 119 to Hackberry Road. Turn right. Travel 3.2 miles to the trailhead on the left, just past a large body of open water.

From Danville, travel east on U.S. 58. About 3.9 miles past the traffic signal at the intersection of state Highway 62 turn left on Hackberry Road. Travel 3.2 miles to the trailhead on the left, just past a large body of open water.

Further information: Paul Johnson, 434-579-7599 or kpauljohnson@yahoo.com