Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 20, 1994 TAG: 9411220014
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
BLACKSBURG - Benny Burkett, executive director of the Joint Wythe County Industrial Development Authority, recently completed the Community Economic Development Basic Course in the Virginia Institute for Economic Development at Virginia Tech.
The Institute is sponsored by Public Service Programs, a unit in Virginia Tech's University Outreach and International Programs, and the Virginia Department of Economic Development.
It helps participants learn about specific department programs and expand their network of development leaders to enhance their work. Burkett received an Appalachian Power Co. minigrant covering all course expenses.
Sprint/United Telephone recently donated $500 to the authority which will be used to help fund a marketing brochure for the county and towns of Wytheville and Rural Retreat.
Community college gets science grant
WYTHEVILLE - Wytheville Community College has been awarded a $96,837 National Science Foundation grant for instruments and laboratory improvements for its electronics program.
It will go toward a $193,000 computer-controlled training and manufacturing system which will mimic a modern industrial operation.
The system will let students do experiments and get training in robotics, vision and inspection systems, programmable logic controllers and every aspect of computer-integrated manufacturing. They also will learn troubleshooting, how to find and fix system problems.
Montie Fleshman, electronics instructor, said the program should be in place within a year and will allow students to train as high-tech technicians.
Grants like this one are highly competitive. ``I was totally shocked,'' Fleshman said. ``I never dreamed we'd get it.''
He expects the new equipment to increase the number of applicants for the electronics associate degree. Ashok Vaseashta, electronics and physics instructor, will also be involved in implementing the instrumentation and lab improvements.
Children's play end runs today
WYTHEVILLE - The final performance of a pair of seasonal children's plays will be at 3 p.m. today at Wytheville Community College in the Grayson Commons.
``Yours Truly, Jack Frost'' and ``Santa and the Wicked Wazoo'' will feature local school children playing a dog named Frostbite (Chris Scott), Santa Claus (Angie Ryan) and his wife (Courtney Pendleton) and an unhappy leprechaun (Jessica Graca).
Others in the cast directed by Janice Scudder include Kelly Carpenter, Mary Beth Carpenter, Brittany Coen, Heather Duncan, Catrina Gravely, Anna Hagy, Sunni Haralalka, Brenna Jones, Kelly Lightle, Alecia Mikrut, Crystal Pugh, Melissa Pugh, Sara Scott, Amanda Strictland and Trista Wilkins.
Working as technicians are Brandon Ayers, Carol Easter, David Hooven and Deneena McCathran.
Each play lasts about 30 minutes. Tickets are $1.50 for students and senior citizens and $2.50 for others.
Brewer says he's like to seek election
WYTHEVILLE - Roy Brewer, chairman of the Wythe County School Board, said he would probably seek election to the board now that county voters approved a switch in this month's referendum from appointed to elected school boards.
Brewer's term is one of four on the board that will be open for election next year, coinciding with the district seats on the Board of Supervisors that come up. Brewer represents the Speedwell District.
Others whose terms also expire and who will have to decide about running are Walter White, representing the Fort Chiswell District; David Macpherson, West Wytheville; and Cleta Roberts, the at-large member. Vacancies had been filled by the county Board of Supervisors.
The terms of the remaining three members will come up for a vote in 1997. Those seats are now held by Carl Ayers, Lead Mines; Martha DeBord, Rural Retreat; and William Pendleton, East Wytheville.
New fitness courts at Withers Park
WYTHEVILLE - An outdoor fitness court has been built at Withers Park for adults working at all exercise levels.
It includes instructions for heart rate monitoring and fitness level testing so people can create their own exercise programs and track progress toward fitness goals. Signs provide information to users on establishing fitness levels, aerobic and strengthening exercises, and other items.
The project is a partnership between the town and Wythe County Community Hospital. ``It is important that the public take control over their fitness level and take a role in preventing health problems,'' said hospital Administrator Howard Ainsley.
The court is located next to McWane Pool in the park.
by CNB