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Traveling farmer gives farewell salute to military

The Gazette-Virginian’s “traveling farmer” who began his military career 38 years ago in 1973  when he joined the U.S. Air Force at the suggestion of his father finally feels it is time to retire.

Kids Kollege plans in the works

Teachers are already working and planning to make the July Kids Kollege program an exciting, stimulating experience for the children.   

Parsons-Bruce Art Association official has engaged some of the best instructors available to work with children ages 4-12 in a variety of areas including art, music, theater, crafts, computers, robotics and science. 

• Kids Kollege theater teacher, Sandy Slayton, has worked both on the stage and behind the scenes.  She directed “Winnie the Pooh” and “Ramona Quimby” for the Halifax County Little Theater.  Slayton has organized and implemented summer theater camps for Little Theater, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center and three Sleepover Theater Camps at The Prizery.  She has 28 years of teaching experience on the kindergarten and first grade level.  Slayton will be offering two theater classes this summer through Kids Kollege.

 • Susie Robbins, one of Kids Kollege’s art teachers, has been working in Kids Kollege for approximately 18 years.    She studied art at Longwood University and has been The Prizery Pre K Arts Academy art instructor and lead teacher since the program began in 2005. Robbins is known for her creative ideas and special rapport she has with the students.  Her art class, Christmas in July, will be offered during the second session.

• Robotics, the science of the future, will be taught by Regan Priest.  Priest, the youngest member of the Kids Kollege team, will bring his special computer knowledge and skills to the classroom.  Priest, a Halifax County Middle School robotics instructor, will teach classes on three different levels for three different age groups.

• Wanda Williamson who has worked in the Kids Kollege program for 10 years will teach reading and science classes.  A veteran teacher of 34 years with the Halifax County School System, Williamson is certified to teach developmental reading to children from preschool through 12th grade.  She has a master’s degree in reading and serves as a reading specialist at Cluster Springs Elementary School. She enjoys getting to know the children who attend Kids Kollege and loves being able to teach fun, hands on lessons.

• Desiree Shaffer will teach art and music in Kids Kollege.  Shaffer has a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in graphic design and illustration.  She painted furniture for the Wind Rose and has done designs for gift wrap, paper ribbon and gift cards. Her clients included such companies as Shamrock, MPR, Lexington Furniture, San Francisco Music Box Company and American Greetings.  She has taught art to home-schooled students for many years and has offered classes at The Prizery for the past two years.  She is proficient in many areas of art; having chosen Around the World in Art, music makers, and drawing to present to Kids Kollege participants this summer. 

• Annette Ferguson is one of the most popular teachers in Kids Kollege.  She has worked with the program since its inception and has developed quite a following of students.    Ferguson has been involved with crafts in a number of local venues including the Holiday Living Show.  Students enjoy her class and always delight in the projects they can take home.  Ferguson, the librarian at Cluster Springs Elementary School, also will be teaching a class for younger students which focuses on books as well as puppets, songs and crafts. 

• Diane Holmes, computer teacher, taught Kids Kollege in the 1990s and has taught computer applications classes for Southside Virginia Community College.  Her expertise was also utilized when she wrote and implemented the technology curriculum for the Halifax County Elementary Gifted and Talented Program. Holmes, a retired teacher in the gifted and talented program, has the capability to turn the ordinary into fun and give students the techniques needed to create imaginative and professional documents.

• Linda Owen, supervisor of elementary education, for Halifax County Public Schools, will be offering a satellite class in the northern part of Halifax County.  She is very excited about the opportunity to offer her CSI class to students along the county line who do not have transportation to participate in the other Kids Kollege classes.  Owen has worked with Kids Kollege before and is enthusiastic about the chance to do this again.  

 Registration for classes will be Saturday, May 19, from 10-12 at The Prizery. Those who wish to register before this date can access kidskollege.files.wordpress.com or parsonsbruceartassociation @google.com. 

For additional information, contact Peggy Crews at 572-4778 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Pat Burgess at 476-6210 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

Ward Burton gives back to injured service members

This Friday, Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation and Freedom Alliance are set to cohost the American Hero Event in Clover.

Some enchanted evening for Halifax prom

Several hundred people gathered in front of Halifax County High School Saturday night to watch as students arrive and make their entrance into the school’s annual Junior-Senior Prom. The theme of this year’s prom was “Enchanted Evening.” 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET9YbFPQaOc

Wall-to-wall art at middle school show

Halifax County Middle School “Spring into Art” show held Thursday had wall-to-wall art for viewers who entered the school’s cafeteria.

Annual Heritage Festival tractor parade gets rollin' Saturday

Organizers of the 9th Annual Halifax County Heritage and Antique Machinery Festival will hold its yearly tractor parade Saturday at 8 a.m. when some of the county’s finest antique tractors will assemble behind Heritage House Furniture, formerly the old Lowes building, across from Halifax County High School.

Library spring book sale kicks off today

The Friends of the Library will hold one of its two annual book sales this week in the library of the former Halifax Elementary School on Mountain Road in Halifax. 

Historic village gets its day in spotlight

The 23rd Annual Historic Noland Village Country Fair Day is just around the corner, and it will be a great time to visit this restored historic village in the Providence community of Halifax County for a fun-filled day for visitors of all ages.  There is always something for everyone to participate in and enjoy. 

Sun shines on Earth Day Celebration

The weather was perfect Saturday for Halifax’s Earth Day Celebration held at the Halifax Farmers Market.

Dan River Baptist Association celebrates 175th anniversary

Thirty-three churches associated with the Dan River Baptist Association are celebrating their 175th Anniversary in 2012.

One component of the observance is a “Celebration and Worship” service to be held on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Dan River Baptist Church. 

The public is invited to participate.

The program emphasis will be on music and history. Congregational singing and special music used in past associational meetings will be shared. 

Churches providing special music are Ash Avenue, Childrey, Clover, Hunting Creek and Millstone. 

The earliest recorded song used in the association was “Hail!, Sweetest, Dearest, Tie That Binds” and will be sung by a men’s chorus.

History highlights from 35-year periods will be presented that depict the attitudes and actions taken in past annual meetings. Former and current associational representatives will provide brief highlights interspersed with period music.

The program will begin with a procession of flags made by the 33 churches for the 175th anniversary year. The theme for the year is “175 Years Behind Us, Eternity Before Us, Because He Lives.” 

A goal is to build on the legacy in developing a vision for the future.

The 11 churches forming the association in 1839 at County Line Meeting House included Arbor, Crossroads, Black Walnut, Hyco, Dan River, Muster Fields (Scottsburg), Clover, Hunting Creek, Catawba, Millstone and County Line.