Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 25, 1995 TAG: 9508250040
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BECKY HEPLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
In a decidedly unscientific sample taken at the New River Valley Mall last week, area students described some of their dream weekends. Maybe their suggestions will give you some ideas on how to finish out this last little bit of summer.
Greg Sisson, 12, who will be going to Shawsville Middle School, wants one good game of baseball before classes start. Jed Sisson, also a SMS student, concurred, especially if he can't get a pro baseball contract. A Salem Avalanche game can be a guaranteed fun family outing. The team will be playing at home during the Labor Day weekend, and parents might want to consider this option.
However, you can bet kids of this age want to play baseball, not just watch it. With summer league play concluded, the fields of dreams are available, so plan a neighborhood game. In the town of Pulaski, call David Hart or Eddie Sutphin (980-1000) to reserve a diamond at the Loving Field complex. There's no charge unless you need a lighted field.
All those home runs can build an appetite, so make a day of it and reserve a picnic shelter. Montgomery County Parks and Recreation has one shelter close to a ball field at its county facility. Call 382-6975 for reservations. The city of Radford has one picnic shelter in Bisset Park beside a large field, so call 731-3633, and remember to bring bases as well as the bat and softball.
Sunita Perumpral will be in the fourth grade at Kipps Elementary and her perfect celebration would include some movies. (She's one of the three people who didn't see "Pocahontas" when it opened earlier in the season. She'll have to go to Roanoke to find it at the Grandin Theatre, which also has "An Indian in the cupboard," "Free Willy 2" and "Casper".)
Area cinemaplexes have some favorite kid fare, including "A Kid in King Arthur's Court," "Babysitters' Club" and "Batman Forever." Plan a movie outing for the middle of the day and you avoid sunstroke and gain lower admission prices. For a true slice of Americana, check out "Babe" this weekend at the Starlight Drive-In Theatre.
For those who prefer live theatre, the Lime Kiln is offering a Family Folk Tale Festival, with "Jack in the Big Tree" this weekend and "Like Meat Loves Salt" next weekend. Call (540)-463-3074 for reservations. "John Henry" is playing at Abingdon's Barter Stage II through September 13. Call (800)-368-3240 for reservations.
Cory Hubbard, 11, will be going to Dublin Elementary School and he clearly understands the punishing nature of the social caste system of pre-teens: his first wish for back-to-school was to be able to fit in and "be cool." Hubbard's hobby is collecting Ertl scale model tractors; a perfect weekend would be searching for the missing parts of his collection.
Cory might suggest an outing to Hillsville over Labor Day Weekend to experience the Giant Flea Market and Gun Show. The show has everything, if you can find it, and that's all part of the fun.
While most students opted for hometown fun, Erin Wiegand, 11 and going to Giles Middle School, is visiting relatives in Ohio, with the added bonus of spending a day at Cedar Point, known for its roller coasters in the Guinness Book of World Records. Virginia also offers some "amusing" parks including King's Dominion in Doswell and Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.
This year admission runs $28.95 ($21.95 for those age 3-6 years, under 2, free) at Busch Gardens and $27.95 ($19.95) at King's Dominion.
Chavon Rogers, a rising sixth grader at Pulaski Middle School, was born to shop and her dream would be a day-long excursion at any several different malls. Certainly with the Back-To-School sales and Labor Day sales in full frenzy, this could be a family outing of sorts, especially for those who haven't gotten their wardrobe in order for the school year. New River Valley Mall, Factory Merchants Fort Chiswell Mall and many downtown merchants are ready for the buying to begin.
A day at Claytor Lake, Gatewood Park or the New River could be a good way to mark the end of summer. So could a mountain bike ride down the New River Trail or a trip to the library or museum.
Not everyone is going to miss the summer months, however. Nathan Beach, 14 and soon to be a ninth grader at Blacksburg High School, had what he called a pretty boring summer and he's looking forward to going back to school.
"Of course, after a week of school, I may change my mind," he said.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***