Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
Harvester books Kendall Marvel, A Thousand Horses and Railroad Earth
The Harvester Performance Center in Rocky Mount has added three additional bands in May for two nights of music.
Country acts Kendell Marvel and A Thousand Horses will hit the Harvester stage in a double bill Saturday, May 6, at 8 p.m.
Grammy-winning songwriter Marvel had written Top 40 hits for with artists such as George Strait, Gary Allan and Chris Stapleton.
A Thousand Horses made history in 2015 when its song “Smoke” became the first debut single for a group to reach No. 1 on the Country Airplay Charts in the 2010s. The song went platinum, with follow-up hit “Drunk Dial” also cracking Top 40 success.
On Sunday, May 14, Railroad Earth will bring its jam-grass sound to Rocky Mount.
Tickets for both shows are on sale now at harvester-music.com.
* * *
VCEDA awards grant to Lee County horse camp
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority has awarded a $10,000 Seed Capital Matching Grant to Rock Bottom Horse Camp, LLC in Lee County.
Rock Bottom Horse Camp, LLC offers lodging for horses and their owners who are touring the area. The business is owned by John and Erin Miele and currently has one full-time and one part-time employee.
In addition to the stable facilities for horses, the camp, located in Ewing, also offers five RV sites and three tent sites. Four new 10×14 stalls have been constructed with four more planned. Future plans call for the addition of a bathhouse.
Prior to developing the business, Miele said he and his wife had been renting two campsite locations through HipCamp.com at their farm. From feedback there, Miele said, the need for horse friendly camping became evident. The only campground with access to the trails of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park does not have facilities to support horses, he said.
Plans call for the campground to be built in three phases and followed a poll of riders in the Virginia and East Tennessee area to identify specific requirements for the trail riding community. The initial post generated more than 5,000 views and more than 200 comments with many contacting the Mieles for additional information.
Miele said the VCEDA funds are being used toward the purchase and installation of an RV dump station required by the health department and to connect to the county water supply.
The Mieles worked with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in developing their application to VCEDA and received a letter of support from the Lee County Economic Development Authority.
VCEDA region for-profit businesses, within qualifying business categories, one year and under with less than 10 full-time employees are eligible to apply for dollar-for-dollar matching grants up to $10,000 from the VCEDA Seed Capital Matching Fund. Applicants work with the Small Business Development Centers at Mountain Empire and Southwest Virginia community colleges to prepare the applications to VCEDA that include detailed business and financial plans. Businesses must be located in or plan to operate in the VCEDA region in southwestern Virginia that includes Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell and Wise counties and the City of Norton.
* * *
National forest seeks volunteers for Lake Moomaw cleanup
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest’s James River and Warm Springs Ranger District is seeking volunteers to join staff for a cleanup at Lake Moomaw in Bath County from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29.
Volunteers will assist with picking up trash, weed eating, moving, blowing leaves, moving brush and cleaning facilities. The Forest Service will provide tools and personal protective equipment. Minors may participate with parental consent.
Volunteers should arrive at the Bolar Mountain day-use area parking lot at 10 a.m. in weather and work-appropriate clothing footwear, water and food. Forest Service staff will meet volunteers for a safety discussion and training for the day’s activities.
In the event of poor weather conditions, this event will be rescheduled for Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6.
Interested volunteers are encouraged, but not required, to RSVP by contacting the James River and Warm Springs Ranger District by telephone at (540) 839-2521, or by email, to Will Harris at william.harris@usda.gov.
* * *
Virginia Museum of History and Culture seeks Virginians’ personal stories of the Vietnam era
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture is asking Virginians with personal connections to the Vietnam War to share their stories for a new exhibition.
“Virginia and the Vietnam War” is a temporary exhibition that will invite guests to immerse themselves in the choices, perspectives and experiences of Virginians during the Vietnam War era. The exhibition will explore the long-term impacts of the war on Virginia’s people, politics and culture.
“Virginia and the Vietnam War” will open to the public Nov. 23, 2024, and remain on view through April 27, 2025.
The museum is seeking individuals to interview for inclusion in the exhibition and welcomes any Virginian who experienced the war — veterans, pro- and antiwar activists, Vietnamese-American refugees, military family members — to participate. The recorded interviews and transcriptions will be added to the museum’s oral history collection, which is available to students, scholars and the general public.
For more information about how to participate, visit VirginiaHistory.org/VAVietnam.