Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 25, 1995 TAG: 9507250049
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: WENDY L. TURNER SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: CLAYTOR LAKE LENGTH: Medium
Located in Dublin, the state park is about two miles off Interstate 81 at Exit 101. Since May 29, 1948, the 472-acre park has become a haven for day visitors, overnight guests and campers. Facilities include an amphitheater, marina, boat ramp, beach area for swimming, picnic shelter, museum, playground, hiking trails, fishing holes and more. An assortment of boats and mountain bikes are available for rent as well.
The park's offices and visitors center are in the former home of Haven B. Howe, an early proponent of land and water conservation of the New River Valley. Built in 1870, the Howe House is the locale of many of this summer's activities, including readings from the works of local authors.
Chelsea Adams, Rita Riddle, Deborah Barbour, Parks Lanier and members of the Selu Writer's Retreat have shared portions of their original works this summer. Adams, a published author and English instructor at Radford University, has read poems, a short story and an excerpt from her latest novel-in-progress as her husband, Bill, picked Appalachian folk tunes on his guitar. Adams spoke recently about her connections to the area, of how she and her husband camped at Claytor Lake years ago, how they fell in love with the New River Valley and decided to move here.
``I came by way of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Colorado, North Dakota and Vermont, and I started to wonder what it was about this place that had drawn me and how it affected my writing, how it had intruded on my work,'' she told her audience while reading poems such as ``Herb Garden,'' ``Strawberry Patch'' and ``Organic Matter.''
Riddle, a professor of English at Radford University, has shared poems and stories from her two publications, ``Soot and Sunshine'' and ``Pieces for Emma.'' A native of Dickenson County, Riddle writes Appalachian essays and poems about her family and herself, recounting memories of her mother, to whom she dedicates her second book, and her father, a poor coal miner who constantly wore a cover of coal dust.
``We are trying to educate the community, both in environmental awareness and as well as local history and culture around us, which is one reason why we have been doing the poetry readings and Appalachian awareness programs,'' said Stephanie Askew, director of the summer programs.
So far, the readings have been a huge success.
Phil and Janet Vickers of Pearisburg recently brought their children to one of the campfire sessions. ``It's a great way to unwind,'' they said.
The state park was designed here after an outpouring of public interest when Appalachian Power Co. created the 4,500-acre Claytor Lake and dam in 1937 as a provider for hydroelectric power.
Rich in history, the park is near now-flooded Dunkard's Bottom, one of the area's first known settlements.
Pioneers such as William Ingles and his wife, Mary, who was captured by the Shawnee in 1755 and returned home, lived at Fort Frederick in Dunkard's Bottom after her return from captivity.
Col. William Christian (for whom Christiansburg is named) lived in Dunkard's Bottom as well. Christian was brother-in-law to Patrick Henry, organized an army to provide protection from Indians, and was a political activist who challenged Great Britain's tyranny in the New World.
by CNB