Independence Day Weekend Event

July 3rd 2010
Historic 1908 Courthouse
Independence, Va.

Devin Floyd, who had driven down from Charlottesville the night before, and I met and set up on the courthouse lawn between 8 and 9AM. Soon joining us for the day’s activities were volunteers Cecelia Mathis, and Claire and Susan Gleason.

The main program, agreed upon by the Executive Committee, was designed around arrowheads found in Grayson County by the Floyd family over a period of years. The arrowheads were displayed for general inquiry as well as used for sketching models. Those who were willing, sketched a chosen artifact, and then used the sketch to match it to a chart, provided by Devin. From the chart one could determine the age and possible use of that particular arrowhead, while discussing and comparing the different examples on hand.

Claire Gleason brought her pet corn snake, the gentlest snake in the world. This attraction brought people to our table in droves, while Claire answered hundreds of snake questions and allowed any willing soul to hold and handle her snake. Claire’s mom, Susan, helped describe BRDC to folks, and tirelessly collected names and contact information. Cecelia shared her experience from the BRDC sponsored Spring wildflower walks, and enthusiastically drew curious people closer to the table and our arrowhead demonstration.

It becomes increasingly apparent that wherever one goes, parents, kids, grandparents and the rest of us all become enriched by the discoveries inherent to outdoor related activities. Many adults were fascinated by our small arrowhead display, and spoke of their own private collections or ones they knew about. Some of that information is contained in the contact list, and hopefully BRDC can return to those conversations in the near future.

As Grayson County’s BRDC initiative grows, so do the possibilities, endless and rich. It is great fun to see three or four generations gathered around such shared interests, and the curiosity displayed most edifying.

Big hugs to Cecelia, Claire and Susan!
Scott Jackson-Ricketts

Photographs by Scott Jackson-Ricketts and Devin Floyd

Icebergs in Virginia's Blue Ridge?

Here's a glimpse of what is probably a very uncommon wintertime event in Virginia. Story and photographs from the New River Highlands of SW Virginia:

"We have been watching the ice form for several weeks since the record breaking cold snap... 5 straight days below 20 and then 12'' of very wet snow (in which the moisture ratio equivalent makes it more like 20''). The ice was so thick that A and E walked across with the New River raging under them...

A few days later we had heavy rains and it appears that the water washed over the ice to form layers of clear and blue slabs of ice, some 10' thick. As the run off swelled the river, this powerful force lifted the ice and deposited it on the banks, stripping the bark off all the trees along the river. Heavy equipment was brought in to remove the ice from the road at the Round House [an historic structure adjacent to the river]." "...the old timers say they have never seen this before. "

-Mike Floyd

Location: Along the New River in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Photos by Jane and Mike Floyd:

I consider these images to be vessels for time-travel!... a brief glimpse into the distant past, to a time closer to the last ice age, when the New River must have been churning with chunks of ice all through the winter up there in the Blue Ridge. And if you would like to stretch the imagination a bit further, try and imagine Taiga forests (fir, spruce, and birch dominated) covering the landscape behind the ice blocks, and a Tundra-capped Mount Rogers area in the distance...with herds of elk and bison roaming open areas, and gray wolf and cougar lurking in the shadows. - devin floyd

More images of the ice phenomenon, taken along a tributary of the New River:
http://henryreed.com/ice/

The Walkin' Jim Stoltz event

November 6, 2009 - FOREVER WILD: A CELEBRATION OF WILDERNESS

One of America’s most unique folksingers and backcountry travelers, Walkin’ Jim Stoltz, on tour from the mountains of Montana, will bring his powerful multi-media show, Forever Wild, to the 1908 Courthouse in Independence, Virginia, on Friday, November 6th, at 7:00 PM. The mix of stunning photography, stories, and music make this one-of-a-kind concert an inspiring journey into our nation’s last wilderness areas. This event is brought to you by the Grayson County chapter of Blue Ridge Discover Center and the 1908 Courthouse Foundation.
Tickets were made available through Deb Shell, Barr's Fiddle Shop, Main Street, Galax, VA, S&L Outdoors, Sparta, NC, and at Rouse House Music, next to the 1908 Courthouse, Independence, VA.

Event Summary:

Walkin Jim Concert, November 6th, 2009, at the Historic 1908
Courthouse, Independence, Virginia.

Due to the diligence of many volunteers, and their getting the word out, last night's concert was well attended. Three complete rows of extra chairs were necessary to accommodate the crowd. At 7:00 PM, and as planned, I opened the evening with a simple description of BRDC, how I became acquainted with Jim Stoltz, and a thanks to the volunteers and the 08 Courthouse Foundation. Joyce Rouse opened for Jim with several of her songs, livening up the audience with her unlimited energy. Among her offerings were a piece on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and her hopeful candidate for the Virginia State Song, "Virginia Beauty".

Jim began with some stories, a brief history of his wilderness walking life, and then a song. Throughout the evening, he alternated between lights on, with his story telling and singing, to lights off, with his amazing slide show accompanied always by his deep resonating voice and the guitar. He took us all over the North American landscape to places few of us will ever see. For the exception of four or five images, all of the slides were his. And all of his songs are originals.

Jim is passionate about saving the wild places for all things living, and continued to push that theme on every level. His merchandise table also included, besides CDs, tee shirts, his book, and some educational videos, an array of ways to get involved with wildlife and natural areas advocacy. He also had several original paintings done with cattle markers, a unique concept.

For the audience, it was a ride through canyons, over high sierra peaks, wandering rivers of Alaska, and deep alpine forests. It was also emotional, as his voice can invoke the deepest passions, sadness, celebration, humor, and a spiritual overtone that he does well. From "Just one Mosquito", a funny song about critters he's encountered along his way, to "Old Crystal Bell", a tribute to an old school house and the ghosts found within, he plumbed the full range of feelings, allowing us all to share in the fullness of his life. He had said to me earlier in the day, while setting up, that he is completely aware of how lucky he is.

During intermission, while the 08 Foundation served snacks, Jim signed CDs and books, and conversed with many new admirers. In other words, he got a lot of love. The second half was shorter, with one different approach. Close to the end, he had Susan Gleason and yours truly come on stage to read quotes from famous folks whose work and ideas have helped to grow our awareness of protected outdoor spaces, as well as the essential value of ecological balance. This reading was accompanied by guitar and slides, creating yet another strong message.

Everyone seemed to go away with smiles and many hugs were passed around. Those who stayed, were enlisted in helping Jim pack up his gear and van. By 11:00 PM, the courthouse was locked and dark. You, the community and our collective interests all made it more than worth every minute invested. Happy trails, will keep in touch.

- Scott Jackson-Ricketts

http://www.walkinjim.com/
http://www.historic1908courthouse.org/

Our Backyard

I invite any BRDC members and friends to join me this Sunday, tomorrow!, Nov.25 at 2pm for a walk in our woods. The focus is tree identification by any method available. Many of the leaves will be gone at this point, but can be collected on the ground and sorted. Of course, discovery of whatever's there is the attraction. Bring any books that would be of interest. Email niki47@rocketmail.com or call 276 655-4149.

October 3 event, Celebrating the New River Plateau

Music on the Lawn at the Davis Bourne Inn: Celebrate the New River Plateau with Blue Ridge Discovery Center.

The Grayson area pilot chapter of BRDC got rolling on October 3, 2009 with an event in Independence, Virginia. We could not have asked for a better day for an event! ...Sunny and warm, a light breeze, music, wildflowers, trees, hikes, fish, insects, and food all in the outdoors under a beautiful canopy of walnut trees...and nobody got hit in the head with a walnut! The activities and conversations continued throughout the day and word of BRDC’s activity will undoubtedly spread.
We’d like to give a special thanks to the many volunteers that helped with this effort and thanks to you newcomers for participating in this celebration! We look forward to seeing how the Grayson Area Chapter of BRDC blossoms over the coming years!

Special thanks to our event partners:

Blue Ridge Birders, Grayson Landcare, Ellie Kirby and her band, Mountain Flower Lampshades, and the Davis-Bourne Inn

Sketch by Cindy Brown © 2009