Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 5, 1995 TAG: 9509050032
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: HALE SHEIKERZ
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Last summer, Erin, 13, sent a letter to James D. Forman asking if she could learn more about the people in his book "Becca's Story," which is based on a family during the Civil War. To Erin's surprise, Forman wrote her back a month later and sent her the diaries he used to base the book on.
Since then, Erin has kept in touch with the author for young adults, who writes historical and scientific fiction.
"I didn't expect him to write back," she said. "It's really neat to know someone like that."
This past spring, she wrote to Forman to tell him that she and her family would be going to Long Island for vacation. She wanted to know if they could take him out to dinner. Erin said Forman responded by inviting her family to stay at his Port Washington, N.Y., house.
Erin, her parents and sister stayed one night with Forman, his wife and his mother. During her stay, Martin learned that Forman used to be a photographer for National Geographic and at one time photographed Ernest Hemingway.
Erin's sister, Laura Martin, a junior at Giles, said, "I thought he was a fascinating person because he has done so much. I thought it was interesting how he didn't start out as a writer but has used his experience."
Erin said that though she enjoys writing, it's more of a hobby not a career goal. Laura, however, said she's looking toward a writing career, but more journalistic than literary.
Christiansburg Elementary School celebrates the new school year with a parade Friday. The parade starts at the school at 9:10 a.m. and will go through downtown. Classes will parade on the sidewalk by grade level.
The school will also have a back to school family social Friday night 7-9 p.m. Admission is $3 per family. Tippy Canoe the clown and a DJ will be featured at the event. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1. The grand prize is a P. Buckley Moss print.
Rehearsals start Wednesday for the New River Valley Youth Strings. The group is open to beginning and advanced players, ages 8 and up who have at least two years playing experience. The group practices at the Blacksburg Middle School band room.
The first ensemble meets 3:45-4:45 p.m. with conductor Carol Stone. The advanced ensemble meets 6-7:30 p.m. with conductor Lisa Bazuzi.
The program is sponsored by the Montgomery County Public Schools and the New River Valley Arts Council. For more information, call Suzie Jackson at 231-5898 or 951-4580.
FOR TEACHERS
Teachers interested in science and insects can enroll in the following two classes being offered at Virginia Tech this fall. Entomology for Elementary Teachers and Hands-On Insect Activities for Elementary Education. The user-friendly classes use hands-on approach to provide practical information for using insects to teach science.
Each course is worth one graduate credit and is suitable for recertification.
Each class meets five Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. starting Sept. 14 and one Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is being coordinated by the Department of Entomology. For more information, call Reese Voshell at 231-5707.
Application deadline for the Virginia Commission for the Arts' 1995-96 Teacher Incentive Grant program is 5 p.m. Oct. 16.
The Teacher Incentive Grant Program provides limited financial assistance of up to $300 to individual elementary and secondary teachers for innovative arts resources or programming for the classroom, to hire arts consultants or professional artists for creative classroom activities. Projects can include architecture, creative writing, dance, folk arts, music, theatre, visual arts, film/video or a combination of the disciplines.
To be eligible, elementary and secondary teachers must be employed by a Virginia educational institution (K-12). Projects must take place between Dec. 15, 1995 and June 30, 1996.
For information and application, write to the Virginia Commission for the Arts, 223 Governor St., Lewis House, Richmond, Va. 23219, or call 804-225-3132.
The Demon Booster's Club meets Monday, Sept. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in the boy's health room at Christiansburg High School. The club supports the sports programs at Christiansburg High and Middle school.
PTA REMINDERS
The New River Valley District PTA has planned its Fall Legislative Seminar and Leadership Training Workshop for Saturday. The meeting will be at Falling Branch Elementary School in Christiansburg. The Legislative Seminar starts at 9 a.m. followed by the Leadership Training at noon.
The New River District includes PTA members from Carroll, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski counties and Radford. For more information, call Mary Ellen Pierson at 651-6313.
Auburn High School's Eagle Pride, the joint organization of the PTSA and Boosters, will meet Monday at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Information about programs at the school will be presented.
by CNB