ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605200007
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
Duck race next month
PULASKI - The third annual Peak Creek Duck Race will be a feature of Pulaski's annual Depot Days celebration next month.
People can buy toy ducks to enter in the race from participating Pulaski businesses for $1 each. The owner of the winning duck will win $150, the second will bring $75, and the third, $50.
The race will start at 4 p.m. June 22, with all the ducks released onto the creek at the Jefferson Avenue Bridge. The finish line will be at the Washington Avenue Bridge.
Merchants interested in selling ducks can pick them up at Le Cafe above the Upstairs/Downstairs shop on Main Street.
Historian publishes 25th book
WYTHEVILLE - Mary B. Kegley, a Wytheville lawyer who is also a historian and researcher, has published her 25th book dealing with a segment of Southwest Virginia history.
"Abstracts of Court Orders of Wythe County, Virginia, 1790-1791; 1795-1810," documents court activity during the years covered and will be a valuable research tool for those interested in genealogy and local history. Kegley has abstracted the records with the genealogist in mind.
Information involving the military, origins of local families and much more is included in the 222-page book, including 38 pages of indexing. Part of the 1791 through 1795 records were missing and not available for Kegley to abstract.
The book can be ordered for $28.08 in Virginia, including tax and postage, and $27 from out of state where no tax is required, from: Kegley Books, P.O. Box 134, Wytheville, Va. 24382.
Choreographer ex-Blacksburger
BLACKSBURG - Mary K. Smith, formerly of Blacksburg, choreographed the dances for the popular play, "The Music Man," performed this month in Waynesboro by the Waynesboro Players.
Smith is the daughter of Nellie S. Trent and the late C.E. Trent of Blacksburg. She has been involved with dancing since age 3.
She said the theater group chooses its annual play as early as a year before it is produced. Rehearsals start with two or three times a week, building to the May performance dates. The final performance of "The Music Man" came last Tuesday. More than 100 people worked in the cast and crew.
Donations still needed
WYTHEVILLE - The Wythe County Rescue Squad has raised money through a telethon for the past few years, but has been unable to make telethon arrangements this year.
So it is making a direct appeal to county citizens for contributions, which will go toward equipment, supplies, fuel, and updating the medical education of its members.
Donations can be mailed to the squad at P.O. Box 389, Wytheville, Va. 24382.
Cellular phone tax OK'd
WYTHEVILLE - Wytheville Town Council has approved a cellular telephone tax but has not set a date for it to start.
The town is waiting to see if the Wythe County Board of Supervisors is going to adopt a cellular phone tax. If the county adopted one and the town had not approved one of its own, the town would be precluded from adopting one.
"The bottom line is a maximum of $3 a month," said Mayor Trent Crewe, if and when the town implements the tax.
Dr. Hook opens Chautauqua
WYTHEVILLE - Dr. Hook, featuring Ray Sawyer, will be the first-night opening act for the annual Wytheville Chautauqua Festival June 15.
The festival features performers, vendors, art, crafts and other attractions from June 15 through June 23. Most of the activities will be in Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park, but some will be in other parts of town as well.
Sammy Kershaw will be the lead performer on the evening of June 16. Other events will be announced.
Family history meeting set
WYTHEVILLE - The fifth annual Family History Institute will be held June 22 at the Wytheville Holiday Inn.
The program will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and banquet from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The one-day seminar sponsored by Kegley Books will feature author and historian Mary B. Kegley of Wytheville, professional genealogist Barbara Vines Little of Orange, and certified Genealogical Records Specialist Beverly Repass Hoch of Wytheville.
The program will include sessions on locating places for family research in Southwest Virginia, how tax records can solve genealogical problems, how military records can help research, and migration patterns in Southwest Virginia.
The cost including the banquet is $36.50 until June 1 and $40 after that date. Registration in advance is required as space is limited. Further information is available by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Family History Institute, P.O. Box 134, Wytheville, Va. 24382.
Social Security seminar
WYTHEVILLE - A free seminar on Social Security for retirees, employers and employees will be presented from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wytheville Community College in Bland Hall auditorium.
Mario Machi of Machi & Associates and former manager of the Wytheville Social Security office will cover benefits, retirement, survivors, disability and Medicare issues as well as the future of Social Security. Space is limited, and may be reserved by telephoning Debra Cline or Wendy Crigger at 223-1115.
The seminar is sponsored by First Century Bank, Wytheville Community College, and the Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce Inc.
Internet courses offered
WYTHEVILLE - Wytheville Community College is offering Internet/World-Wide Web courses at six times during its summer term.
These introductory courses will cover electronic mail, searching for information, collaborating with team members around the world, taking part in forums, promoting businesses, chatting in real-time, holding on-line conferences and distributing information.
Two courses will be Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., one starting May 29 and the other July 8; two on Mondays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. starting June 3 and July 8, and two on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. starting May 28 and July 2.
Further information is available by calling Gary Laing at 223-4802 or toll-free (800) 468-1195.
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