Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 11, 1995 TAG: 9508110017
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS BANKS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Life wasn't easy on the reservation.
Art Hoover, a Sultioux Sioux, was born in Manitoba, Canada, and spent his early childhood on a reservation. His first memories aren't the warm-and-fuzzy kind. He remembers being without shoes and feeling cold and hungry.
Hoover was moved to a foster home. When he was 6 years old, he was adopted by a family from Virginia. He has lived in the state ever since.
For eight years, Hoover has made his home in Christiansburg. At 32, he figures it's time to make a difference for children who may have the same needs he once had.
"I was given a chance and now I want to give something back," he said.
That's why Hoover has organized a committee to promote awareness of Native Americans and to raise money to help Native American children on reservations.
"Our children are the future and we should teach them unity by sharing our cultures with one another," he explained.
Rebirth of a Nation is the name of Hoover's committee, a group with seven voting members. The group is putting on a Native American Awareness Day at New River Valley Mall on Saturday. Members also are organizing a powwow to be held Sept. 22-24 at the New River Valley Fairgrounds in Dublin.
Saturday's event at the mall starts at 10 a.m. and runs throughout the day. Native Americans in full regalia will give dance demonstrations from 1 to 7 p.m. Ongoing events include face art, hair wrapping and storytelling.
Admission to Native American Awareness Day is free, but contributions will be accepted for Rebirth of a Nation. Donations of clothing and food are welcome, too. Hoover is planning a trip to South Dakota to deliver goods to people on reservations.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE: You can catch Second Chance, the local gospel music trio, in a special concert Saturday commemorating 11 years of singing praises. The group will perform at 7 p.m. at the Vicker Pentecostal Holiness Church on Peppers Ferry Road.
Second Chance was voted "Trio of the Year" by judges from the International Gospel Music Association in a local competition held recently. The musicians are hoping to record another cassette soon.
Admission to Saturday's concert is free, but an offering will be taken to benefit the trio's recording project.
For more information, call Bob or Sandy Mullins at 639-6271, evenings.
HUNGRY? You can have lunch at the Belmont Community Center, then head for the picnic shelter at Slusser's Chapel for supper.
The Belmont II Ruritan Club will be selling food, baked goods and yard sale items Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. The fund-raiser helps the club finance community projects.
The Mount Tabor Ruritan Club is having its monthly fish fry Saturday evening from 5 to 7. Slusser's Chapel is on Mount Tabor Road just outside Blacksburg.
The supper is an all-you-can-eat deal that includes fish, fries, coleslaw, cake and beverages. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for kids under 12.
START BOOKING: The Old Newport High School building is where you'll find the latest local book.
"Call of My Grandfathers: A Guide to Beginning and Preserving Your Family History" is the title. It includes two appendixes: "Revolutionary War Notes" by Malcolm Whittaker and "Seamstress Notes of the 18th Century" by Cindy Olinger. The authors are local folks.
The book is being sold by the Newport Community Action Committee to raise money for improvements on the old schoolhouse. The cost is $12.98.
The authors will be available to sign copies today, 4-8 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
If you can't make it to the Newport schoolhouse this weekend, you may order a copy by writing to Newport Community Action Inc., c/o Joyce Hoerner, Rt. 2, Box 284-A, Newport, Va. 24128.
CALLING ALL BIRDS: If you have a voice like a bird, you're invited to try out for parts in the Blacksburg Master Chorale's 1995-1996 concert season. The choral group will give a fall concert Oct. 21 featuring ``Te Deum'' by Anton Bruckner and ``Dona Nobis Pacem'' by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The Dec. 16 holiday concert will include Part I of ``The Messiah,'' Spanish carols and a portion of the Russian Orthodox Church Vespers by Rachmaninov.
Sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones - all voices are needed. The chorale wants experienced singers with knowledge of classical singing, musical skills and an ability to read music.
Auditions will be held Aug. 19. To sign up for a time or to schedule a special audition time, call music director Craig Fields at 231-8502.
by CNB