Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 22, 1994 TAG: 9404220165
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Donna Alvis Banks
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Another day older and deeper in debt.
"Coal Mining: A Life of Sacrifices and Its Aftermath" is the theme for Montgomery County's very first Coal Miner's Day. The event, a tribute to former coal miners and their families, is happening Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. at the McCoy Ballpark.
The afternoon starts with a country feast prepared by some of Montgomery County's first-rate cooks. The $5 meal is a benefit for the Coal Miner's Monument Fund. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be available, too.
The highlight of the day is a dedication program for the Coal Miner's Monument. The monument was purchased with donations from local folks who wanted to honor county miners, particularly the 42 who lost their lives in mining accidents over the years. The program also includes testimonial to the county's surviving miners, as well as to miners' wives and children.
Appalachian music and storytelling are part of the festivities, as are displays of coal mining equipment, old photographs and artifacts. Copies of some historic photographs and newspapers will be available and commemorative T-shirts will be sold.
Best of all, many of the men who once worked the long, hard hours in Montgomery County coal mines will be on hand to share their experiences. This is our chance to shake their hands.
The ballpark is on Virginia 652 in the McCoy community.
AN OLD TRADITION: New River Community College and the Pulaski County Appalkids are putting on an event you won't want to miss.
"Singing All Day and Dinner on the Ground" is a day full of music, home cookin' and authentic Appalachian crafts. It runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the New River Valley Fairgrounds in Dublin.
You'll find crafts demonstrations by Cheerful Ladies Quilting, the Mountain Heritage Woodcarver's Guild and many others. Ricky Cox will do caning and Rick Radman will have his pottery. Folk dolls, candles, needlepoint, pressed flower pictures, wreaths and pencil art will be on display.
There's music and entertainment every hour on the hour. Here's the schedule:
11 a.m. - Bob Flesher, old-time and minstrel banjo music
Noon - Radford Church of God in Christ, gospel music
1 p.m. - The Highlanders, bluegrass
2 p.m. - Pulaski County High School Appalkids, Appalachian tales and tunes
3 p.m. - Cabin Fever Blues, old-time, modern and delta blues
4 p.m. - Six String Swing, dancing to western swing
5 p.m. - Appalwood, traditional mountain music
6 p.m. -Jack Hinschelwood and Friends, acoustic mountain music
7 p.m. - Olen Gardner and the Appalachian Ramblers, best of bluegrass
Dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes hot dogs, homemade chili, chips, drinks and desserts. Supper runs from 4 to 7 p.m. The fare is Carolina barbecue, coleslaw and homemade desserts prepared by members of Dublin United Methodist Church.
Don't worry about eating too much. A dance contest will be held between 7 and 8 p.m., so you can burn off the extra calories. A prize will be awarded for the fanciest footwork.
SPRING FEVER: The flowers are blooming at The Plant Plant. That means it's time for the annual "Springfest," a day of learning and fun.
The festival begins at 9 a.m. and continues until 6 p.m. Saturday at the nursery on Barringer Mountain Road off U.S. 11 between Christiansburg and Radford.
Highlights of the day include live celtic music by Maridian from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grace Note, a popular folk band, performs from 1 to 3 p.m.
Herbal foods and beverages will be sold throughout the day, and Katherine Chantal, a Floyd County herbalist, will lead a spring "Weed Walk" at 1 p.m. Chantal, who goes by the name "Moonflower," has been studying herbs for the past 20 years. She will explain how common weeds and herbs can be used for food and medicine.
Admission to Saturday's festival is free.
LIFE'S A TRIP: For Timothy Leary, life's been a roller coaster trip.
The controversial philosopher, author and teacher who coined the phrase "turn on, tune in, drop out" is the '60s is now in his '60s. Still, he speaks out about social reform and individual freedom.
Known as the "LSD guru," Leary jokes about his use of the drug. He says it has three side effects: "Long-term memory gain, short-term memory loss and I forget the third thing."
Leary will visit Virginia Tech Monday for a 7 p.m. appearance in Burruss Auditorium. The lecture is part of the Virginia Tech Union's Speakers and Issues series.
Leary says his lectures are aimed at encouraging people to think for themselves and empowering people to question authority. He points out that the latter does not mean rebelling against authority but forcing those in positions of authority into dialogue.
Admission to Monday's lecture is $3 for the public and free for Virginia Tech students.
FATHER, SON AND A RUSSIAN: Thomas Clyde Shaw, cellist for the Audubon Quartet, will perform Sunday with his son, Jeremiah, and guest pianist Gabor Fuchs in a 3 p.m. concert at Virginia Tech's Squires Recital Salon.
Shaw's son is a student at Blacksburg Middle School and a student of professor Richard Aaron of the Cleveland Institute of Music. Jeremiah Shaw also is the principal cellist of the Roanoke Youth Symphony. At 14, he's already making a name for himself as a musician.
Gabor Fuchs was born in Beregovo, Soviet Union, but immigrated to the United States in 1976. He has performed all over the world and is recognized as a major talent in classical music.
The trio will play chamber works by Handel, Rachmaninoff and Ginastera.
Admission is $3. Tickets will be available at the door Sunday.
RAP WITH A DIFFERENCE: Arrested Development, the 1992 Grammy Award-winning group, will be at Radford University's Dedmon Center Tuesday for one show at 8 p.m.
The group, known for its unusual blend of soft rap and melodies, is also unique because it has both male and female musicians. The combination is rare in rap music.
Arrested Development will perform cuts from its first album, "3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of," a 1992 release. The rappers are now working on a new album.
Tickets are on sale now in Heth Hall on the Radford University campus. Admission is $14 for the public and for everyone on Tuesday. Advance discount tickets are $10 for Radford University students and staff. Call 831-5420 for information.
DRUMS: Radford University's Percussion Ensemble has a treat in store at its concert Monday. Khalid Abddul N'Faly Saleem, one of the great drummers of the world, will give a guest performance.
Saleem, who served as musical director for the African American Dance Ensemble for 10 years, has performed in Greece, Italy, Norway, Africa, Mexico, Japan and the Caribbean, as well as at theaters and festivals all over the United States. He is recognized for his work in increasing awareness of African-American culture.
Saleem will be featured in the second half of Monday's concert. It includes the premiere performance of Radford University's African Hand Drumming Ensemble.
The first half of the program features "Head Talk" by Mark Ford, a piece played entirely with drum heads, and "Music for Pieces of Wood" by composer Steve Reich.
Tickets, available at the door, are $3 for adults and $1 for children. Admission is free with Radford University identification.
by CNB