For a pleasant change, “Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company announced Tuesday that its Marion refrigerator trailer plant in Atkins will recall this summer about 145 employees laid off earlier this year because of reduced sales.”

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Every day, Marion jeweler Avery Cornett looks out the window of his jewelry store on Main Street and sees the same thing; the wonderfully beautiful Lincoln Theatre.  The Lincoln, originally built in 1929 is one of three remaining Art Deco Mayan Revival theaters in the Country.  It’s recognized on the Virginia register of historic places for its beautiful murals depicting Virginia and United States history and its feature of Mayan inspired art.

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I recently found this extensive article on the Wytheville Enterprise website discussing the different approaches that have been considered in order to improve traffic flow on Interstate 81.  The current idea that is being floated is improving the existing railway system to allow for faster railway shipping through the state and move tractor trailers off of the road.

While the surrounding localities are on board for the project, Smyth County supervisors are taking “a wait-and-see position.”  I initially took interest in the article because I am a student at Virginia Tech and frequently find myself driving on I-81 in order to go home.  I was surprised to find out that the debate for how to improve I-81 has been going on for about the past 15 years.  I know that I-81 is miserable during rush hours when all of the nearby colleges let out for break, but I hadn’t realized that traffic had tripled on it over 20 years.

Initially, two separate plans to build more lanes onto I-81, as well as adding toll lanes were being considered.  One of the plans was chosen, but the company was broken up later on and the deal fell through.  I am glad it did, because I absolutely hate dealing with toll lanes on long road trips.  Long road trips are expensive enough as it is with the cost of gasoline.

Through a combination of the road plan falling through, economic causes, and environmental causes, the railway plan gained momentum and moved to the top of the list.  The article came off as very positive for the steel interstate, and had few negative points to discuss.  I can’t say I’ve ever really noticed the beauty of I-81, but I usually spend most of my driving time watching for traffic and cops.

I am all for less tractor trailer traffic on I-81, and would also welcome a more efficient way to transport freight.  The upgrade would also apply to other states that the railway runs through.  Not only would an improved railway lead to less traffic, but it could also have a positive effect on the environment as well.

Jonathan VanDerveer

It was released Wednesday in the Smyth County News and Messenger that Smyth County supervisors will back the request for grant money from the Appalachian Regional Commission to create two museums. 

Joe Ellis, locals entrepreneur and business man came to Smyth County officials looking to immortalize Smyth County, particularly Marion’s hand in the creation of Mountain Dew and the area’s “ties to a national pastime.” 

The two museums—a Home of Mountain Dew museum and a Moonshine to Motorsports museum are the two that are slated to be built.  The Mountain Dew museum makes a lot of sense to me.  Bill Jones of Marion developed the recipe for Mountain Dew in what is now the Hungate Office Building in Marion.  Even though East Tennessee claims the actual creation of Mountain Dew, I think Marion has a definite stake in the claim. 

But, a Moonshine to Motorsports museum?  Dan Kegley writes in the Smyth County News and Messenger that “NASCAR traces its roots to the fast-driving skills of illegal distillers who raced along rural roads with jars of home-brewed alcohol.”  This is completely 100% true.  I have no problem with NASCAR or moonshine being part of our history as part of the Southern states or the Appalachian region.  However, I am concerned with Marion’s lack of connection with racing in general. 

Sure, we’re 43 miles outside of the Bristol Motor Speedway.  Yes, Chilhowie is home to the McClure’s of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, but they are not racing this year.  Smyth County, as much as I love the place is always hopping on different bandwagons.  Right now they happen to be on a heritage preservation kick.  Is there anything wrong with that?  Absolutely not.  As a historian by interest and an Appalachian Studies scholar by trade I understand that heritage recognition and preservation is of the utmost importance, but please, can we have something that is more unique to Smyth County?  I support anything that brings business and vitality to Smyth County, but I also feel as if I could whole-heartily support something that won’t be gathering dust ten years from now.

Are you in Southwest Virginia?  Do you look for things to do, or are you one of those who want to come to the area and are afraid of the lack of things to do?  Well, fret not. It really depends on where you are in the area and where your interests lie, but regardless of that, there are many things to do!   

For example, if you’re in Floyd County, a good Friday night can mean going to the Blue Ridge Diner (I highly recommend their black bottom pie) and then going to the Floyd Country Store for live music and dancing.  Often there is not only music going on inside the store, but outside on the porch and around the corner as well.  If you’re looking for other music venues, try The Rex Theatre in Galax, the Bristol Country Music Alliance’s Pickin’ Porch in Bristol or the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol in the Fall which is a phenomenally huge traditional music festival! 

Music abounds in the mountains and can be found anywhere from a square dance in Grayson County to a fire department Friday night jam in Smyth County to anywhere along The Crooked Road.

In the area, we are blessed to have a plethora of natural wonders just waiting to be explored.  From Tazewell County’s Burkes Garden, which is known as “God’s Thumbprint,” to the Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail or Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest point, there are many things to do and see.  The Blue Ridge Parkway and many hiking and biking opportunities offer you the best views for miles around.  It has been rumored that on a clear day, one can see Detroit, Michigan from the summit at Mount Rogers, but you’ll have to look and see for yourself!

In the New River Valley (Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford), you can enjoy a busier scene with shopping and dining options.  Also, you can benefit from having the colleges close by for quality entertainment whether it be concerts, plays, lecture series, etc… 

Going down I-81 gives you the option of dinner and a show at the Wolfhart Haus in Wytheville, several wineries in the region such as Chateau Morissette and the Davis Valley Winery, performances at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, The Paramount and Theatre Bristol in Bristol and The Barter Theatre in Abingdon– the state theatre of Virginia.  There are many other cultural opportunities such as The Carter Fold in Hiltons and plenty of fine dining experiences to be had between The Martha Washington Inn, The Tavern and The Hardware Company, just to name a few. 

The area is also rich in consignment, second-hand and antique shops.  The areas of Floyd, Abingdon Bristol are particularly rich in these stores.  In the summer months you can attend the Virginia Highlands Arts and Crafts Festival in Abingdon which features a huge antiques market.

I could literally go on all day and suggest things that are not only great food and a good time such as The Dip Dog Stand in Marion, In the Country in Damascus, or Cuz’s Barbeque in Tazewell County, but I would be depriving you of your chance to explore on your own!

–Shai Cullop

The vote wasn’t even a close one. Smyth County has voted down food and beverage tax. The county rejected a proposed tax that would have put a 4 percent food and beverage tax in restaurants on the November general election ballot. The County Supervisor’s reasoning behind this proposal said, “increased county revenues are needed to provide better public services and greater educational opportunities to the citizens of the county[…]and to provide for future public water and public sewer service in the county.” Obviously, the rest of the county did not agree.

Out of 9,702 total votes, 6,936 people opposed while only 2,766 agreed. This is more than 71 percent of the vote! The economy is not at its best right now, so giving people another tax to pay is certainly not what anyone needs. With such a substantial difference in numbers, there’s no confusion on the stance of those in Smyth County. My vote is with you as well!

–Chelsea Archer

Recently, the Smyth County School Board met to discuss the state of several schools throughout the county. Most of the discussion revolved around the state of Marion Intermediate and Marion Primary Schools, and the future of Chilhowie High, Northwood High, and Sugar Grove Combined School. 

While replacing Marion Intermediate and renovating Marion Primary were inevitable and welcomed topics of conversation, the focus of the meeting seemed to switch to the fate of three schools in the county. 

The school board is currently considering closing Sugar Grove Combine School, a K-8 school with miniscule enrollment, found in the community of Sugar Grove on the Smyth-Grayson County line.  Most notably, the school board discussed the consolidation of two county high schools, Chilhowie High and Northwood High School.   

The options discussed at the meeting spoke of either bussing the Chilhowie students the  additional ten miles on VA-107 to the current Northwood High School, or building a new school in between the two towns in an area called Midway.   

Although the school board is quoted as saying, “Building, merging, consolidating…the student is the most important thing. It’s not what we want. It’s what’s best for them,” I don’t believe that they are taking the students’ concerns into consideration.  Being a graduate of Chilhowie High School, I am admittedly biased, and I realize that enrollment and facility issues are often the deciding factor for closing or consolidating a school;  however, I believe that the school board needs to consider the academic well-being of the students at Chilhowie High.   

There was talk of consolidating when I was in high school, and I remember how scary of a thought that was.  It wasn’t because of politics or petty rivalries, but because of the quality of education I received at Chilhowie High School.  The smaller school allowed for closer communities within the school and better relationships between students, faculty, and staff.   

Chilhowie and Northwood alike have always had reputations of academic excellence for their own reasons, and I believe that these schools should be allowed to exist separately and continue the success they have enjoyed throughout the years. I think that disrupting the legacy of Chilhowie High School and Northwood High School alike and trying to “mesh” them with that of another school could be a possible travesty for Smyth County School Systems. 

I realize that a single, cohesive, consolidated school is years in the making, but I remind the school board that the main things—possibly the only things keeping these two communities alive—are the high schools.  With very little economic development or growth in either town, it is imperative that the schools remain in their respective communities. Perhaps the school board needs to think twice before taking away that sense of pride and community involvement.  

– Shai Cullop   

http://www.swvatoday.com/comments/consolidation_closings_and_renovations_discussed/news/3790/