End your summer on a high note, Rockingham County

By Miranda Baines

Published: August 20, 2008

Art in the Park

Lake Reidsville continues its 25-year anniversary celebration with “Art in the Park” Saturday from 3 to 9 p.m.

“We’re just trying to reach out to a different segment of the community,“ said Judy Yarbrough, Penn House coordinator. “We’ve got 28 or 29 artists that are going to be out there. It ranges from pottery, jewelry, woodworking, photography…“

Blaine Ziglar Band and the Floydz Circle Band will perform. At 7:30 p.m. in the amphitheater, the Theatre Guild of Rockingham County will perform the first act of the Broadway musical “Children of Eden.“

From 3 to 7 p.m., Artifair allows children to create art at hands-on stations. Brad Spencer, owner of Spencer’s Studio & Gallery, said the percussion station at Artifair will show children how “common, everyday things” can be turned into something artistic.

Brad and Tammy Spencer and other members of the art community organized the first Artifair last year and decided to combine it with the Art in the Park. Last year’s Artifair was held in downtown Reidsville.

“We need to make sure kids have those opportunities to be around art and create art,“ Spencer said. He said one of the primary goals is to “encourage budding artists.“

Admission to Lake Reidsville is free after 2 p.m. Concessions will be available.

Fill the Bus

Help Embarq “fill the bus” with school supplies 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Ruby Tuesday lot at 706 S. Van Buren Road in Eden. Ruby Tuesday and the city are helping to sponsor the project.

“I know there are a lot of kids in the area that have a tough time getting enough school supplies,“ said Jim Fink, general manager of Ruby Tuesday. “It’s another way for us to give back to the community a little bit.“

The needed items include pencils, notebooks, red pens, three-hole paper, loose-leaf binders, index cards, glue, crayons, construction paper, erasers, back packs and pencil holders.

Prayer Walking

The faith community will host the Second Annual Prayer Walking at the schools Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

“It’s really an effort to start the school year on a good note,“ said the Rev. Dr. Bill Duke, pastor of First Baptist Church of Reidsville. “It gives believers an opportunity to walk together and pray together and share concerns.“

Prayer leaders will be stationed at each of the county’s 26 public schools.

Special Smith River Water Release

The Dan River Basin Association and the Creek Freaks of Franklin County are partnering with the Army Corps of Engineers and Dominion for a special recreational water release Saturday in Henry County, Va. The Smith River has six official access ramps in the county, according to a news release. Canoeists and kayakers can paddle various sections of the river throughout the day from Philpott Dam to Martinsville, Va. Float times vary between access ramps.

Participants should wear synthetic clothing and bring waterproof outerwear. All boaters must wear a life jacket.

Franklin County Creek Freaks will offer guided trips. Three Rivers Outfitters in Eden will offer trips, shuttles and boat rentals. Contact Three Rivers at (336) 627-6215. For more information, call Dan River Basin Association members Brian Williams at 276-634-2592 or , or Jennifer Doss at (276) 634-2545 or .

Democrats Dinner

The Rockingham County Democrats will hold a “Meet the Candidates” dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Dan Valley Community Center. Meet state and local Democratic candidates while enjoying a barbecue pork or chicken dinner and bluegrass music.

Homemade Ice Cream

Jacobs Creek Volunteer Fire Department at 2250 N.C. 704 in Madison will hold a homemade ice-cream fundraiser from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds benefit the fire department.

Take Two - Rock Fest

Take the kids to Rock Fest at the Natural Science Center of Greensboro. From 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, children will have a chance to mine for rock and mineral treasures and create a rock pet. The Greensboro Gem & Mineral Club will provide face painting and rock identification. The Natural Science Center is at 4301 Lawndale Drive.

Take Two - “Pop Go the Wiggles” Live

“The Wiggles” will perform at the Greensboro Coliseum. Shows are 1:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $18 to $38 and are available at http://www.ticketmaster.com. The Greensboro Coliseum is at 1921 Lee St. in Greensboro.

• Staff writer Miranda Baines can be reached at or 349-4331, ext. 35.