Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 9, 1995 TAG: 9507100012
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Two arts organizations, three localities and a school in the New River Valley received grants to support arts organizations in their communities from the Virginia Commission for the Arts.
The Pulaski-based Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley, urgently seeking support from the region to keep its programs going, secured a $3,700 general operating support grant.
The Virginia Arts Presenters in Montgomery County was chosen for a $500 general operating support grant.
Pulaski and Wythe Counties each won Local Government Challenge Grants of $3,750, and the town of Pulaski will receive a $3,000 grant. The local governments must match the grants and then award the total to their arts organizations.
In Giles County, Eastern Elementary School received a $3,546 grant for an artist residency program for folk arts.
The commission awarded a total of nearly $1.9 million in recent grants. Further information on the program is available from the commission at 223 Governor St., Richmond 23219 or by telephoning (804)225-3132.
College tests waters with performances
WYTHEVILLE - A comedy is being performed at Wytheville Community College, and the school will follow with a musical soon.
``Greater Tuna'' opened Friday in the Grayson Commons and has three more performances, 3 p.m. today and 8 p.m. July 14 and 15. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and $2 for students, and tickets are available 30 minutes before each performance.
The play features a variety of residents of the small town of Tuna, Texas, involved in activities from animal rights to militias.
Opening July 21 is ``Pump Boys and Dinettes,'' a musical comedy set in a gas station and diner somewhere in the South. Performances will be July 22, 28 and 29.
``We've been wanting to do a summer theater for a while, and, finally this year we were able to put all the elements together,'' said Janice Scudder, director of the program.
``We're testing the waters,'' she said. ``If audiences come out and enjoy the shows, then maybe we'll try to add a third show next summer.''
She said the casts are filled but the shows need help with lights, box office and concessions. Anyone interested can call 223-4795.
Also, cast members are still seeking props for ``Pump Boys,'' items that might be found in a diner or gas station, such as display stands, snack racks, drink stands and cash registers. Anyone willing to lend any of these items can call Scudder at the same number.
Veterans Affairs office changes schedule
WYTHEVILLE - The Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs office in the Wythe Medical Arts building at 710 W. Ridge Rd. has new operating hours.
It is now open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and it is closed on Friday.
The office serves the counties of Pulaski, Giles, Wythe, Bland, Carroll and Grayson and the city of Galax. It is staffed by William T. Harry and Erskine Sink.
The office serves veterans and their dependents throughout the New River Valley area in developing, filing and prosecuting claims for benefits under the complex laws and regulations of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies. It also offers counseling and guidance concerning Veterans Affairs benefits.
New River Valley students honored
EMORY - Seventeen students have been designated as 1995-'96 Creed Fulton Scholars at Emory & Henry College, including three from the New River Valley.
Recipients include Brian C. Ballard, a graduate of Narrows High School, where he was named for the Lions Club Award, National Honor Society Award for Scholarship and Mountain Empire District Award for Academic Excellence; Christopher J. Dunn of Pearisburg, a Giles High School graduate who was vice president of the Student Council Association, member of the Choral Ensemble and varsity football and baseball teams; and Tammy N. Jones of Rural Retreat, a graduate of Marion Senior High School, where she was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and Beta Club.
Students chosen receive a $3,800 scholarship their first year, renewable for as many as four years. Selection is based on student academic records.
E&H chooses new financial officer
EMORY - Sarah Armbrister Beamer of Wytheville has been named chief financial officer and treasurer of Emory & Henry College.
She previously was corporate audit manager for the Virginia Tech Foundation. Before taking that position, she was a certified public accountant for KPMG Peat Marwick in Roanoke.
A business administration graduate of the College of William and Mary, Beamer also earned a top honors in the master of business administration program at Virginia Tech. She was one of three students in the graduate program chosen for the M.B.A. Case Competition Team. She also was a graduate student assistant counseling other M.B.A. students about course scheduling and career planning.
In her work for Virginia Tech Foundations, Beamer created and managed the internal audit function for all 10 university-related corporations ranging in size of assets from $855,000 to $247 million.
Beamer is on the Wythe-Grayson Regional Library Foundation Board, and is a member of the American Institute of Public Accountants. At E&H, she succeeded Eloise Ellis, who retired in June.
by CNB