ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 17, 1996 TAG: 9605170029
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: Out & About
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS-BANKS
"Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have war, let it begin here!"
- Capt. John Parker
The historians among us know it as the "shot heard 'round the world." No one knows who fired that first shot on April 19, 1775, but it started the eight-year war that ultimately led to the establishment of the United States of America.
This weekend you can experience the drama of the American Revolution firsthand at the Virginia Heritage Days celebration in historic Newbern in Pulaski County. Soldiers and their families will be setting up camp in back of the Wilderness Road Regional Museum today. Come welcome them.
Saturday's activities begin at 10 a.m. A drill competition is set for 11 a.m. and there's a battle reenactment at 2 p.m. Afternoon events continue until 4:30.
On Sunday, the action resumes with competitions at 10 a.m. Highlights include bayonet and sword competitions, as well as another battle reenactment at 2 p.m. Admission to the battle scenes both days is $2 for adults or $1 for kids under 12.
Sutlers (merchants who follow an army to sell supplies to soldiers) will set up trading posts in the parking lot behind the museum. They'll have Pendleton woolens (great for making your own realistic costumes) for only $8 a yard.
Other weekend activities include living history demonstrations and lectures by some excellent speakers. John Curry, staff writer for Smoke and Fire News, will talk about the 18th century frontier experience. John LaRosa, an employee of Lewis-Gale Hospital, will discuss Colonial medicine, and Stanford Ferguson, a noted American Indian representing the Shawnees, will demonstrate Indian customs and discuss the conduct and conflict with frontiersmen. Talks are scheduled periodically Saturday and Sunday.
Don't depart without seeing the museum displays. Indian artifacts found in Pulaski County, as well as artifacts dug near the Mary Draper Ingles cabin, are part of the exhibition. A special feature this weekend is a collection of powder horns and horn containers on loan from Peter J. Goebel of Crozet. Some of the items date back to the 1600s.
Admission to the museum and to most of the attractions is free. Crockett's Western Battalion commanded by John Buck of Floyd is host for this first-time historical event at the museum.
To get to the museum from Interstate 81, take Exit 98 in Pulaski County. Follow the brown signs.
SUNDAY BEST: You'll find it this Sunday at the spring fashion show put on by Memories Emporium and the Village Boutique in Shawsville. The event, a benefit for the Knowles Family Fund, starts at 3 p.m. at Memories Emporium on U.S. 460.
In addition to pretty spring fashions provided by the Village Boutique, you'll be treated to live music and some nifty door prizes. Donations will be accepted at the door.
AWWWW... It's Awesome Arts Fest '96!
Eastern Elementary and Middle School's PTA has put together a full day of fun at the school in Pembroke. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday - rain or shine.
Local musicians and bands will be performing throughout the day in the gym and cafeteria. Entertainment also includes an American Indian dance and drum routine by Rebirth of a Nation at 10 a.m. and a show by the Virginia Technical Jugglers at 4 p.m. on the front lawn. At 4:30 p.m., the seventh-graders will stage a musical adaptation of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" on the stage in the school cafeteria.
Don't miss the silent auction, the book corner and video nook featuring children's books and videos, the kids' crafts and activities, the awesome art classes and the food, food, food!
Storytellers will be casting spells, starting at 11:30, in the tent near the food court. The tale tellers include Otter Woman, Cat White, Sheri Vaughn and Anne Wheeler.
Interested in sales? Check out the kids' clothing and toy sale and the plant sale.
Interested in exhibits? Stop by the photo displays and Gourd Society shows.
Shall I go on? The list of things to do just doesn't stop.
All money raised at Awesome Arts Fest '96 will help bring arts into the classroom and increase children's access to the arts. The PTA supports a number of programs at the school.
The school is on U.S. 460 west of Blacksburg in Giles County.
CALLING ALL DUMBBELLS: We're talking about the heavies here!
The Hensel Eckman YMCA in Pulaski is the place to be Saturday if you want to see the best musclemen (and women!) around. About 30 weight lifters, ages 15 to 35, will participate in a bench press contest, starting at 10 a.m.
Pat McClanahan, a national bodybuilding champion, will judge the contest. McClanahan grew up in Pulaski where he worked out at the YMCA. He still trains there and has been a trainer for other members of the YMCA.
"The members unanimously agree they would rather have Pat judging the contest than competing with them," noted Peggy White, one of the organizers of the event.
White said Saturday's competition is open to spectators and admission is free.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS? No, it's not a question. It's the name of a band.
What's Wrong With This? is one of the local high school bands performing Thursday in a benefit for the Lyric Restoration Fund. The young musicians will be joined by two other local groups, Weblows and Beet Chex. Collectively, the students play jazz, funk, blues and rock music.
Thursday's concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre on College Avenue in Blacksburg. Admission is $2 and you may pay at the door.
LENGTH: Long : 108 linesby CNB