ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 22, 1996 TAG: 9611220028
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: out & about
SOURCE: DONNA ALVIS-BANKS
If dolls could talk, imagine the secrets they could tell.
Into the ears of dolls little girls whisper wishes and dreams and deepest-darkest fears.
And no matter how old little girls get, the memory of a favorite doll will always kindle the heart.
Virginia Kirkwood shared her secrets with "Nellie," a doll made by her grandmother, Virginia Williams Peterman. In 1911, Kirkwood was a little girl growing up in Floyd County, and Nellie was her constant companion.
Recently, Kirkwood donated Nellie to the Floyd History Museum. The well-worn rag doll with its handmade dress, sheepskin hair and leather booties is part of the Old Church Gallery's current exhibit, "County Keepsakes - Heirlooms from Floyd Families."
Nola Albert, curator of the collection, looked for ordinary items for this show - everyday things that became heirlooms through generations of strong family ties: the cream crock that was used each day to cool milk in the spring house knitted gloves that were worn in the fields during the Civil War fanciful bottle cap baskets from the country store.
The show is a look back at childhood memories. All the relics - including the handmade dolls, toys and furniture - have family stories detailing their significance among Floyd County kith and kin.
"County Keepsakes" will remain at the Old Church Gallery through December. It's at 110 Wilson Ave. off East Main Street in downtown Floyd and is open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information, call the gallery at 745-2979.
PEACE AND THANKSGIVING: Massasoit, chief of the Wampanoag tribe, made a treaty with Gov. John Carver of Plymouth Colony in 1621. The chief agreed that his people would not harm the Pilgrims as long as he lived. In turn, those early settlers promised to protect the Indians and their rights.
Massasoit and his braves sat down with the Pilgrims to share the feast on the first Thanksgiving Day. Edward Winslow recorded the event in his journal.
Free Memorial Library is inviting members of the community to step back to that historic event Monday. Local actor Bobby Collins and friends from "The Long Way Home" will present a program at 4 p.m. The Thanksgiving storytelling is free and open to everyone.
Free Memorial Library is at 300 Giles Ave.
SPEAKING OF THANKSGIVING Before you stuff yourself, make sure you get plenty of exercise at the Thanksgiving dance. It's happening Saturday at McGuire's Family Campground near Claytor Lake.
Local bluegrass musicians gather each week to play their favorite mountain tunes. They welcome anyone who likes clogging, flat-footing and other highlander dancing styles.
At this week's dance, one lucky bird will take home the Thanksgiving turkey. Food and drinks (no alcohol) will be available at the campground. It's on State Park Road in Dublin.
Admission is only $1. For more information, call Mike McGuire at 674-5561.
SPEAKING OF BIRDS The Hokie Bird (or a reasonable facsimile) will be waiting for you tonight between Alumni Hall and Squires Student Center.
What's the coop - er, scoop?
It's a pep rally to spur on the Virginia Tech football players as they prepare for their big upcoming games with West Virginia University and the University of Virginia.
Special events include a banner contest sponsored by Arnold's. The organization with the best banner wins a free sub party.
The Highty Tighties, High Techs and Hokies' cheerleaders will lead the festivities, starting at 8.
BEAUTY, POISE, CHARM: Contestants in the Little Miss New River Valley Pageant will show what they're made of Saturday. The pageant runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg.
The event features seven age divisions for girls up to 18. Youngsters under 12 will model their Sunday dresses while the teens parade in formal wear.
The pageant is sponsored by the Bethel Elementary PTA and it's open to the public.
SILVERY SOUNDS: Sang Hee Uhm, harp, and Deborah Kemper, flute, will make the sweetest sounds Saturday. It's a special holiday concert featuring Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker," M. Samuel Rousseau's "Greensleeves" and Christmas music from around the world.
Uhm, who teaches harp at Radford University and Roanoke College, has appeared as a guest soloist with orchestras throughout Korea and the United States. She's also a member of the Roanoke Symphony.
Kemper, from South Carolina, teaches flute at Roanoke College. An award-winning young flutist, she has performed with the Spartanburg and Richmond symphonies.
Saturday's concert starts at 8 p.m. in Preston Hall. Admission is $3 for adults or $1 for children. Those with Radford University identification get in free.
RACING PULSE: Surely, it will speed up Monday when Radford University's Percussion and Marimba Ensemble takes the stage. The musicians perform at 8 p.m. in Preston Hall. Al Wojtera directs.
This concert offers a smorgasbord of works for percussion, including pieces by Beethoven, Gauger, Saint-Saens and Radford University music professor Bruce Mahin.
You'll also hear the university's Traditional West African Djembe Ensemble and the Grove Methodist Church Handbell Choir at this performance. Ribby Watts leads the handbell choir.
Admission is $3 for adults or $1 for kids. It's free for Radford University students and staff.
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