Chamber News

Tom Bishop is Community Presenter at Sept. 11 Parkway Celebration

Tom Bishop, Executive Director was the Patrick County representative a the 75th Anniversary Celebration at the Blue Ridge Music Center on Sept. 11, 2010.

He along with 28 other bordering counties to the Blue Ridge Parkway National Park, were properly represented an made commemorative speeches. During the afternoon a the Amphitheatre stage a Community Roll Call was made allowing each county Honor Representative to speak. He presented the quilt patch to Parkway Supt. Phil Francis which was Patrick County emblem. He also presented the Patrick County proclamation celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Parkway. Here is the content of Tom Bishop's speech: "Patrick County is bordered on the South by North Carolina line On the North by the Parkway. Geographically, we are very closely connected to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Parkway is very accessible in Patrick County via: Orchard Gap- coming down to Ararat and Laurel Hill. Laurel Hill is home of the Annual Civil War Reenactment and Living History. Willis Gap - coming down to Ararat and many peach and apple orchards. Patrick County is the home of the Annual Virginia State Peach Festival. Squirrel Spur- Coming down to the Dan River and the fertile valley of Ararat and Claudville Meadows of Dan exit, JEB Stuart Highway - connecting to U. S. Route 58, Lover’s Leap Overlook, and the Town of Stuart. The Town of Stuart is home of the Patrick County Music Association (part of the Crooked Road Music Trail), the annual Strawberry Festival and the Apple Dumpling Festival. Route 8 exit - Woolwine Highway, taking you to the community of Woolwine - 2 historic covered bridges. Woolwine is the home of the Annual Virginia State Covered Bridge Festival. Rocky Knob-Rock Castle Gorge Walking Trail, the old CCC Camp site, and coming down to Woolwine Patrick County was the home of John and Orlena Puckett, in Ararat. Orlena was a famous midwife helping to deliver over 1000 babies. Their 20 plus babies that did not survive were buried in the Ararat community. Patrick County is the home of Rev. Bob Childress who was born in Ararat and led in the building of the many Historic Rock Churches in Patrick, Carroll and Floyd counties, which are very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Patrick County is the birthplace of Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, CSA, born in Ararat, at the Laurel Hill farm. Patrick County is the birthplace of Richard Joshua Reynolds, of Critz, VA, founder of the tobacco company with the same name. The Blue Ridge Parkway is Patrick County’s connection to tourists from all over the world. They come off the Parkway to enjoy our orchards, farms, bed and breakfast locations, our music events, our annual festivals, our scenic overlooks, and purchase food and other services. We are very proud of our numerous connections to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are thankful for the business it brings to our communities and jobs that are created because of it. Our desire is to protect this critical asset and tourist attraction, and enjoy it for many years to come."