Recalling World War II

WWII exhibit
On Saturday, the Eden Historical Museum at 656 Washington St. will kick off a month-long World War II remembrance. Pat and Melissa Whitten, members of the Eden Preservation Society, coordinated the celebration.
“We can’t thank these guys enough for what they did for all of us. They definitely did something that was unusual. They saved the world,“ said Pat Whitten, a Vietnam War veteran and retired educator. “A lot of young people don’t know about it. They don’t know what sacrifices their grandfathers and great-grandfathers did to ensure their democracy.“
Whitten said World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 1,500 to 2,000 a day. The Whittens want to educate people about the pivotal war in our nation’s history and honor the local World War II veterans. The museum will feature generic World War II memorabilia such as weapons and first-aid bags, interspersed with local World War II veterans’ artifacts.
Mike Dougherty, Eden director of business development, said the celebration would give a comprehensive view of World War II-era life in the United States.
“It’s going to be as much of a cultural thing as a military thing,“ said Dougherty. He said the USO building across the street will be open and people will have an opportunity to dance to 1940s’ music. Henry Street will be closed to make room for the military vehicles on display. Among them will be a restored World War II military jeep.
Saturday’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. with opening remarks from Louise Price, president of the Eden Preservation Society. At 10:15 a.m., Eden Mayor John Grogan will speak about the importance of freedom. At 10:30 a.m., Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page will read the names of the war dead from the towns of Leaksville, Spray and Draper (now Eden). At 10:45 a.m. is a 21-gun salute and, at 11 a.m., the Morehead High School ROTC Color Guard will present the colors.
The World War II: A Remembrance celebration will continue each weekend in April 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. The historical museum opened at last year’s Riverfest celebration in September and has had several exhibits since opening.
“It gives us an opportunity to bring in interesting exhibits like Jesse James and Thomas Day,“ said Dougherty.

Red Grammer Performance
Children of all ages will have a chance to “Sing and Shake” with Red Grammer at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Rockingham County High School auditorium.
The internationally acclaimed children’s musician will perform award-winning songs covering topics such acceptance of diversity, global and geographical awareness, self-esteem, character education and nurturing a sense of community.
“He’s not been to Rockingham County before,“ said Joy Venable, child-care resource and referral coordinator for the Rockingham County Partnership for Children. “We’re very excited.“ The Partnership is sponsoring Grammer’s visit.
Venable said the county uses Grammer’s music in its Conscious Discipline program, as much of it is about self-esteem and character development.
Parent’s Magazine described Grammer as “the best voice in children’s music.“ Grammer is the featured artist on the 2005 Grammy-winning Best Musical Album for Children “cEllabration: A Tribute to Ella Jenkins” and on his new Grammy-nominated album “BeBop Your Best!...Music to Build Character By.“ Grammer has made numerous appearances on children’s television shows and programs, such as Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel.
Tickets to Saturday’s family concert are $5, and doors open at 6:15 p.m. Grammer will also lead a curriculum workshop for early childhood and elementary school educators 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Rockingham Community College auditorium. High-school upperclassmen and college students pursuing education-related careers are encouraged to attend.
Venable said the workshop will discuss “using music and movement with young children for development.“ It also will give educators the tools to motivate children with varied learning styles and to create an accepting, nurturing environment for children from different cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.
Tickets to the workshop are $5 each. To buy advance tickets to Saturday’s workshop or family concert, call the Partnership at (3360 342-9676. Tickets will also be available at the door, but pre-registration for the workshop is preferred.  To find out more about Red Grammer, visit http://www.redgrammer.com.

23rd Annual Visual Arts Festival
The Reidsville Junior Woman’s Club invites the community to view the talents of Rockingham County High School artists at its 23rd Annual Visual Arts Festival. The art will be on display at Rockingham Community College’s Whitcomb Student Center through Sunday. An awards ceremony and reception is 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Whitcomb Student Center.

First Friday at Five
Linda Kay Cook’s “Fibers & Metal” will be on display at the First Friday at Five opening reception at The Gallery at 217 S.W. Market St. in downtown Reidsville. Come to the reception from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and view the artwork.

Live Music at the Backstreet Buzz
Enjoy live music with Kirby Williams at the Backstreet Buzz Coffee House at 234 S.W. Market St. in downtown Reidsville from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Kite Runner Special Showing
The Rockingham Theatre at 205 Gilmer St. in Reidsville will have a special showing of “Kite Runner” at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday in conjunction with Rockingham County Reads! The cost is $5.

Habitat Community Open House
Rockingham Habitat for Humanity will have a community open house at 1216 Lewis St. near Price Street in Eden 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Homeowner applications will be available. Habitat will also have a house dedication for the Conway Odell Family 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call Gloria Best at (336) 623-2932.

Community Concert
The Reidsville High School Chorus will perform a community concert under the direction of Gwen Bell at 6 p.m. Sunday in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, 409 S. Main St., Reidsville.

DRBA First Saturday Outing
The Dan River Basin Association will welcome the spring Saturday with a float on the Dan from Moratock Park in Danbury to the confluence of Snow Creek near Dodgetown Bridge. The 4-mile trip on the river begins at 10 a.m. Will Truslow, president of the Dan River Basin Association, is coordinator.
Before heading downstream, outing participants will watch the unveiling of a sign describing the benefit of planting trees along streams.
“This will be the first of three such signs at places along the river,“ said Brian Higgins, project manager for Nature and Heritage Tourism programs in DRBA’s Eden office. The posting of the signs is a new educational project of DRBA.
Outing participants should supply a boat, paddles, life jackets, drinks and lunch, and a change of clothing. People should wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool - no cotton or blue jeans. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver.
To reach Moratock Park traveling on N.C. 8/89 from the north, turn left on Shepard Mill Road, crossing the bridge over the Dan. Head north on N.C. 8/89, turn right on Shepard Mill Road, crossing the bridge over the Dan. At the end of the bridge, an unpaved drive on the right leads to the boat launch near the old iron furnace.
Meetings and outings of DRBA are free and open to the public. For information about the outings program, contact Paul Johnson, outings chair, at (434) 579-7599 or (434) 476-2257, or . For information about the Dan River, contact Forrest Altman at (336) 234-8556, . Membership information is available at http://www.danriver.org.

Take Two
Winston-Salem will have a candlelight vigil Friday night - the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.‘s assassination April 4, 1968. The candlelight vigil will extend from 5th Street to New Walkertown Road in Winston-Salem. The vigil will last from 6:01 p.m. to 6:41 p.m. Call Cheryl Harry at (336) 399-3585.

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