January 2009
The Greater Raleigh Court Civic League
www.grccl.org
R a l e i g h C o u rt — A H i s t o r I C A L N E I G H B O R H O O D L O O K I N G F O R WA R D
Carleton Drewry
Raleigh Court's Poet Laureate of Virginia By Rick Watkins The front porch of Maxine Drewry’s house at 2305 Maiden Lane is tidy and pleasant, but seems unremarkable at first glance. The area is smallish, blocked on one side by an enclosed sun room. Opposite, steps leading to the driveway serve to make the space appear even tinier. Yet, it is a remarkable place in our Raleigh Court neighborhood for, not too many years ago, the official Poet Laureate of Virginia, Guy Carleton Drewry, and his wife Elisabeth, spent many afternoons and evenings sitting and watching “life flow past the front porch” according to their daughter Barbara, who now lives in California. A son, Guy Carleton “David” Drewry, Jr. lives in Raleigh, N.C. “Every passer-by was welcome to sit and visit,” she added, “and if they were not at home often small gifts of flowers or produce or notes would appear in their absence. My mother grew up on Westover Avenue, and when we moved to Maiden Lane in 1968, for her it was a homecoming.” Carleton Drewry had retired from his job as a statistical
Inside This Issue
President’s message...................................................... 3 Recycling................................................................... 5 Raleigh Court History................................................ 5 Holiday Parade.......................................................6-7 Treasure on 13th Street.............................................. 7 Carwash................................................................... 8 Calendar................................................................. 10 Things you need to know.......................................... 10
clerk at Norfolk & Western Railway in 1966 after 43 years employment. Already an internationally acclaimed poet, he was named Virginia’s poet laureate by an act of the General Assembly in 1970, a post he would hold until his death in 1991 at the age of 90. He was also once president of the Virginia Poetry Society, served as regional vice president for the Poetry Society of America, and won several awards for his work and achievements. Born in Culpeper County, his father was a Methodist circuit minister so the family moved frequently. As a result, Drewry received no formal education, being taught to read by an older sister and practicing on hymnals, church publications, and the Bible. But he had a natural affinity for words and a love of the concise speech of poetry. In an interview with Roanoke Times & World-News writer Jeff DeBell several months before his death, Drewry said that as an unschooled country boy “I literally came from nowhere…I (loved words) for the simple beauty of words themselves.” He sold his first poem to a national magazine, The Dial, at age 22. His poems were printed in literally dozens of magazines and literary journals over the years, and he had —continued on page 4
January Meeting By Lori Livingston Let's resolve together to be a greener neighborhood in 2009! We'll find out how to get started at our next meeting on Thursday, January 8. Gwen Mason, Roanoke City Councilwoman, will speak about the City's Clean & Green initiative. Also, Skip Decker of the City's Solid Waste Management Department will discuss recycling and propose a neighborhood recycling contest. The meeting will begin at 7:00 pm at Christ Lutheran Church at the corner of Brandon Avenue and Grandin Road. Please note we're starting one-half hour earlier than previous meetings. We're looking forward to seeing you there!
Greater Raleigh Court Civic League Officers OFFICERS President Susan Koch 345-9977 s.koch@verizon.net Vice-President Chad Braby 343-3975 cbraby@ullimanschutte.com Treasurer Ruth Dickerson 345-2187 Recording Secretary Keith Dabbs 224-3082 kdabbs@carilion.com Corresponding Secretary Cassandra Van Hyning 798-1996 cvanhyning@spectrumpc.com Directors at Large Karyn McAden 342-8930 blackcat29@cox.net Melissa Morgan 312-3587 melissamorganhomes@msn.com
Lori Livingston 981-1145 lomaliv@juno.com Jake Gilmer jgilmer@rvarc.org Immediate Past President Chad Van Hyning 798-5983 cvanhyning@hsmm.com COMMITTEE CHAIRS Membership: Karyn McAden Adopt-a-Highway: Kurt Navratil 343-7373 kdavidn@cox.net Brook Dickson bdickson@hollins.edu Neighborhood Affairs: Frank Eastburn 342-8063 haikune@msn.com Program: Melissa Morgan & Lori Livingston
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Newsletter (incl. advertising): Jim Huizenga 345-9977 j.huizenga@verizon.net Special Projects: Tony Stavola 345-0010 astavola@carilion.com Building Management: Chad Braby Grandin Road Merchants Liaison: Kurt Navratil Webmaster: Michael Meise 343-0805 mmeise@roanokecountyva.gov Greenways: Mike Urbanski 344-1388 mike_urbanski@cox.net The Court Reporter is published by the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League fives times a year on or about the first week of September, November, January, March, and May.
From the President
Investing in the Neighborhood No one needs to tell us that these are tough times. If you’re working, you’re probably concerned about your job security. If you’re retired, you’re worried about your shrinking investment portfolio. Everyday, the Roanoke Times chronicles new cutbacks. And yet I’m really heartened by the vibrancy of Raleigh Court. There are a number of optimistic folks who see potential in our neighborhood. Where others draw back from risk, they reach out for opportunity. One of those investing in the neighborhood is Jim Phillips, the new owner of our neighborhood car wash. He positively bubbles with enthusiasm as the workers bustle around him, refurbishing a neglected business. And then there’s Ben Ward, owner of The Issacs. He and others took over the space previously occupied by Kneadful Things on Memorial and opened a restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. When the adjacent space became available, he didn’t hesitate. He knocked down the walls and has expanded his restaurant and refurbished the building’s façade. I’ve also heard that a local developer has bought a landmark Raleigh Court apartment building which has fallen on hard times and has big renovation plans. He plans to seek a historical designation and apply green principles in rehabbing the building. All of these are encouraging signs of confidence in our neighborhood. And of course, there are the many other Grandin Village merchants who have invested in Raleigh Court. I urge you to return the investment. Home Depot won’t miss you, but you’ll be welcomed at Black Dog Salvage by Sally with the wagging tail. Applebee's won’t miss you, but Grace’s will make your pizza just the way you like it. And Barnes and Noble won’t miss you, but Linda at Too Many Books will find just the book you need for a winter afternoon. We appreciate all who invest in our neighborhood.
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early on to criticism, Elisabeth was outgoing and comfortable among people. After the couple married in 1941, she often did readings for him when he was too overwhelmed to face an audience. For many years, she acted as his public representative.
Drewry—continued from page 1
six volumes of collections published, beginning with “Proud Horns” in 1933. His other works include “The Sounding Summer,” “A Time of Turning,” “The Writhen Wood,” “Cloud Above Clocktime,” and his last volume, “To Love That Well,” published in 1975. Drewry’s style was described in the Times article as “fluid and lyrical…that falls comfortably on the ear whether read aloud or heard only in the reader’s mind.” Richard Dillard of Hollins University said Drewry had a “real dark view” and his daughter spoke of her father’s “melancholy” which she believes was influenced early on by seeing siblings Elisabeth Drewry on Her 85th and neighbors struggle with Birthday illness and early death, and dealing with hard times during the Great Depression. Time and human mortality, the “human burden of foreknowledge” preoccupied his thoughts and influenced his work, as did his love of animals and awe of nature. In “The Forest of Time,” he wrote in part: That time begins by ending, that now is never, I have learned by watching the trees let go their leaves: In the forest of time the leaves are falling forever. It is not time that goes nor the goer that grieves. Barbara says her father’s awareness of how fleeting and precious time is spilled over into his work habits, making him a prolific and disciplined writer. Drewry would come home from the “jail” that was his job and create a “magical world” in his den to enhance his creativity.
Elisabeth was a longtime Roanoke resident who graduated from Roanoke College and earned a masters degree from Columbia University. She taught music, English, and English literature for 41 years, and founded reading groups with the AAUW (American Association of University Women) and the Roanoke Public Library. She was a prolific community volunteer for several charities and an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. After Carleton’s death, Elisabeth continued to hold court on her Maiden Lane porch, entertaining friends while sharing desserts. She and her dachshund “Baby” were fixtures walking up and down her street for years. A short-legged dog was apropos as Elisabeth could never seem to manage more than a few yards before a friend stopped her to chat. In 2003, because of ill health, Elisabeth moved to California to be closer to her daughter and family. She asked her cousin Maxine to “house sit” in her absence. Elisabeth died in Orange, California in November 2005 at the age of 89. The absence of such a couple from our neighborhood is always felt, for such a pair as they are irreplaceable. But Carleton might remind us that though all our own lives are falling away always, and the neighborhood cannot remain the same, “the bud’s explosion in sun and the bloom’s expansion” assures us that new memories await us on the porches of Raleigh Court, even as the old ones flutter and fade to the past.
“He wouldn’t eat dinner because he felt it would dull his mind. Instead, he’d stay in the den for hours, smoking cigarettes, thinking, and even writing by the light of a kerosene lamp to enhance the atmosphere.”
ICE-STORM By Carleton Drewry
Cold rain that could not quit the trees all night Brittled their limbs and lay on them like light.
An accomplished fiddler herself, Barbara says her father often played old time tunes, always the slow, lyrical sad songs, not the dance tunes so popular at festivals today. Often, he’d then place his fiddle down and begin writing. “Juanita’ was a particular favorite of his.
Suddenly through the silent wood trees spoke In crackling syllables of boughs that broke
Carleton and Elisabeth were prolific collectors of timepieces, once having “120 clocks in the house” according to Barbara, all synchronized to strike simultaneously to create a cacophony of chimes and bells and sounds.
Made day a diamond, and, piece by piece, Slid silver sounding on blue iron of ice.
Where Carleton was shy and reticent in public, and sensitive page 4
In static storm. The horizon hurled The glitter of dawn against that glazing world,
From The Sounding Summer, Dutton, 1948
Join the Recycling Movement
Raleigh Court History
Only 36% percent of Roanokers recycle, so the city needs help in getting the word out to the other 64% who don’t. Volunteers are needed to walk along neighborhood streets on trash day and identify residences where a Big Blue trash can is out without a recycling container nearby. Volunteers will affix a city-provided sticker on the Big Blue can as a friendly reminder about recycling. It's that easy.
By Nelson Harris
Everyone knows recycling protects the environment, but it did you know it also saves money? Collecting recyclables decreases the trash the city dumps at the landfill, reducing the money we pay to dispose of trash. To help promote recycling, contact Roanoke Volunteer Coordinator, Andrea Martin at 853-1801 or Andrea.Martin@ RoanokeVa.gov. Each week, 13 garbage trucks and 5 recycling trucks visit Raleigh Court. With increased recycling, these numbers can be reversed. If you do NOT have recycling bins, request your two free containers at 853-2000 or www.roanokeva.gov 'Departments / Solid Waste'.
The First Days of Public Education Public education in the Raleigh Court area actually began when Roanoke County (remember Raleigh Court was not annexed into the city until 1919) opened “Norwich School” for the 1892-93 school year. It was officially known as School No. 8 in what was then the Big Lick School District of the county system. The teacher was Florence Ribble who had an enrollment of seventy-one pupils. It is generally believed that School No. 8 was located in a one-room schoolhouse that sat on the backside of the current Virginia Heights Elementary School lot. In 1906, the county built a four-room brick structure to house a growing enrollment. This small building stood for some 80 years, being razed in 1984 to make room for the expansion of the current facility. In 1911, the county formally changed the name of School No. 8 from “Norwich” to “Virginia Heights.”
What can be recycled? Glass and plastic week: Clear glass, #1 and #2 plastic (check the bottom of your bottles for the number), aluminum and steel cans.
With the commencement of the 1915-1916 school year, pupils experienced for the first time at the school a ninemonth, 180-day academic calendar. Prior to that, the county’s school year had consisted of 142 days.
Paper week: office paper, junk mail, magazines, newspapers, chipboard boxes (cereal, pasta, gift, etc.) and collapsed corrugated boxes.
With annexation came the needed expansion of school facilities in the area. The Norwich School (not to be confused with the one just mentioned) was built in Norwich and started with 115 pupils in September 1921. (This school closed in 1963, then known as Parkview.) In 1922, Roanoke leaders acted to expand the Virginia Heights Elementary School and it was constructed and in use by the 1923-24 school year. A year later, the city acquired five additional lots adjoining the school. This 8-room building was expanded in 1951 to provide for cafeteria and gym areas.
Each week, one container is collected on the same day as your regular trash pickup. To find out which bin to set out, check online @ www. roanokeva.gov - see 'Departments / Solid Waste' or check your city calendar. Contact Skip Decker, Solid Waste Manager at 853-6848 or solidwaste@roanokeva.gov with questions. Recycling Kiosk in Raleigh Court The Raleigh Court Library now has a recycling kiosk. The kiosk will reduce the toxins that enter our landfill by providing a free drop-off for household batteries, free recycling envelopes for ink jet cartridges, and additional recycling information. Harmful substances, such as those from batteries and printer cartridges that go to landfills, can seep into groundwater from which we get our drinking water. Batteries left in the kiosk will be disposed of by the Office of Environmental Management. However, rechargeable batteries will not be accepted. Also available will be prepaid shipping envelopes for ink jet cartridges and cell phones. For more information, contact the Office of Environmental Management at 853-2425. To learn how to recycle at your home or business, call 853-2000, Option I.
During the 1992-93 school year, Virginia Heights Elementary underwent a significant renovation, bringing about its present composition. Thus, for 116 years public education has been occurring on the little knoll overlooking Grandin Village. Nelson Harris is the author of “Greater Raleigh Court: A History of Wasena, Virginia Heights, Norwich and Raleigh Court” published by The History Press (available at local and on-line bookstores).
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Grandin Village Holiday Parade Large crowds gathered in chilly weather for the annual Holiday Children's Parade on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The parade was sponsored by the Grandin Village Business Association and the Greater Raleigh Court Civic League. Robert Turcotte and Susan Stump organized the event. Numerous Grandin Village merchants and Raleigh Court organizations participated. We also saw the new Jefferson Street trolley, the Norman Fishing-Tackle Choir, and, of course, Santa on a fire engine. The Raleigh Court Methodist Church once again sold Brunswick stew during and after the parade from their front yard. Because they normally sell out their entire production, they increased the total to ninety gallons this year. Virginia and Tupper Garden enjoy the Presbyterian Preschool marchers.
Roanoke Mayor David Bowers and his girlfriend Margarita Cubas appeared in the parade. Council members Dave Trinkle and Court Rosen also marched. Jenny Prikitt and Pete Johnson carry the New to Me banner.
Kelly Zappia gets a ride from sometime Viking Evan Nieman.
Marchers and spectators filled Grandin Road.
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Treasures on 13th Street By Kelly Zappia
Members of the Raleigh Court Methodist Church made Brunswick stew in their front yard.
“In my last life I think I was a pirate,” was one of the first things that Mike Whiteside, co-owner of Black Dog Salvage, said to me during our interview. “All the plundering…” And I saw his point. Not only are there obvious comparisons to treasure hunting for this salvage specialist, but I Mike Whiteside, Molly, & Sally also learned that Mike worked as a professional yacht captain and spent years in the Navy. He has been all over the world’s seas including more than a few transatlantic journeys. He has quite the eye for treasures, too. He looks for one keystone piece in each job. Sometimes it’s an antique mantle-there is a whole room of them at the shop. Sometimes it is just an unusual or unique piece that you wouldn’t normally see, from stained glass of epic proportions to giant basketball player statues, even a rocket ship (almost actual size) karaoke machine.
Brunswick stew ready for customer pickup.
One of the group of kids from Presbyterian Preschool.
So what are his daily challenges, his seafaring, cannons blazing, battles? Sorry I just couldn’t help myself from overusing the pirate analogy. “Well,” he says, “salvage is easy to collect but sometimes hard to sell.” Black Dog balances this issue by reaching out to the bigger community to sell their unique wares. Online sales make up a big part of their business. For example there is a giant wheel hanging in the warehouse right now that is going cross country! They’ll build a frame/cage to ship it, “we’ll ship anything anywhere.” Mike says. California Bound But a mammoth solid wooden wheel? It is heading to California after the holidays. What will the buyer do with it? Your guess is as good as Mike’s. And speaking of holidays, Black Dog just might win the award for most amazing holiday decorations. Have you seen the giant toy soldiers out in front of the shop? Their story is rife with daring and intrigue. It seems that within the salvage industry there is a strong network of traders and one of them called Mike with an offer not so long ago. Five tractor trailers full of holiday displays from Saks 5th Ave and Macy*s stores in New York City. And now the pirate part… he could look in the trailers but not go in and specify things he wanted. He would have to take all five trailers almost sight unseen. And he did. The soldiers make fine Holiday Guards for one of the neighborhood’s true and ever changing treasures.
The Patrick Henry High School marching band.
Black Dog Salvage is located at 902 13th Street SW in Roanoke VA and is co-owned by Mike Whiteside and Robert Kulp. They are online at www.blackdogsalvage.com. You can visit the website and see the constantly updated blog. page 7
Carwash Upgrade In these tough economic times, many business owners are hunkering down and pulling back, not investing and expanding. But local entrepreneur Jim Phillips continues to look for new business opportunities while others hold back. Phillips has recently purchased our neighborhood carwash on Main Street in Wasena. Before he bought it, Valley Pride Car Wash was showing signs of neglect. Phillips expects to invest an additional $40,000 to $50,000 to bring the business back. In addition to cleaning and painting, he’s installing new vacuum cleaners. There’s been no hot water for several years. “Who can wash a car without hot water?” asks Phillips, and he’s moving rapidly to fix the boiler problem. He’s also investing in new security cameras and lighting. Phillips is particularly concerned about the lighting. He’s making sure it’s plenty bright for customers and to prevent vandalism. But he’s also making sure it’s neighbor friendly and won’t keep the surrounding residents up at night. Because the carwash is coin operated, it’s self service and open around the clock. Even in its deteriorated condition, it’s a busy place, with customers pulling in even as renovations are taking place. The renovations will be complete in time to wash that winter grime off your car. Phillips has a history of bringing back neglected structures. On of his earliest investment projects was rehabbing a declining apartment building in Raleigh Court in the 1970s. He can still recall stripping the plaster walls down to the lath, and rebuilding the building room by room. More recently, he developed a small shopping center near Hollins. He’s the president of the Virginia Division of The Stump Corporation, which sells off closed furniture factories. Phillips says he’s been around Raleigh Court most of his life. He currently lives in Wasena and all his children went to Wasena Elementary.
Jim Phillips
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Things you need to know‌ Art in Roanoke At the October 18th "meet the artist" event at Fire Station #7 on Memorial Avenue, the pelican sculpture, "Second Chances," was unveiled. Here, sculptor Paul Slick of Tucson, Arizona points out a feature of the pelican to a reporter for the Star-Sentinel.
and Brook Dickson in the parking lot of the Family Dollar Store at 8:45 am. Plan to work from 9:00 am until 10:00 am. E-Waste Recycling Event E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to used or discarded electronic equipment including: computers, televisions, stereos, camcorders, cell phones, printers, scanners, and thousands of other household or office devices powered by plug or battery. When: January 9 & 10, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Where: Roanoke Civic Center Web: www.celebrateroanoke.com Raleigh Court is Best Roanoke Neighborhood Valley Business Front magazine, in its December 2008 issue containing the "best of business 2008," names Raleigh Court the best neighborhood. They say, "South Roanoke got a vote or two, but there really wasn't any competition here because Raleigh Court is what we all want a neighborhood to be. Positively Rockwellian. Walk tree-lined sidewalks to the movies and have a pizza and ice cream before and after."
Calendar Master Plan for Lakewood Park The GRCCL has partnered with the Roanoke City Parks and Recreation Department and the School of Architecture and Design at Virginia Tech to develop a master plan for one of our neighborhood parks. The Virginia Tech team is led by Associate Professor Dean Bork. He was assisted by four graduate students from China.
GRCCL Membership meeting........ Thurs., Jan. 8, 7:00 pm Cleanup day....................................... Sat., Jan. 17, 8:45 am E-waste recycling................................. Fri. & Sat., Jan. 9-10 Future GRCCL Membership Meetings March 12, 2009......................................... Thurs., 7:00 pm May 14, 2009............................................. Thurs., 7:00 pm
Over 30 Raleigh Court residents attended two planning sessions to gather ideas and evaluate proposals. The Civic League will be following the progress of the plan. You can see the alternatives at www.lakewoodpark.arch.vt.edu/. The project team will be happy to hear your thoughts. GRCCL Cleanup News The next cleanup event will be on January 17th, weather permitting. The focus will be Brandon Avenue and Edgewood Street, SW. Please meet the event organizers, Kurt Navratil
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