Wednesday, July 1, 2009

We held a recruitment/Cultrual Heritage event on June 26th




Giles RSVP members and guests boarded the Giles County bus at the Giles Senior Center and traveled to Fairlawn, VA to the River and Company Restaurant. The group was seated on the patio that overlooked the New River for an enjoyable lunch. Volunteers discussed their volunteer work, travel and the reasons they love Virginia. After lunch they viewed from the upper level, the microbrewery that the restaurant is known for. The group returned to the bus and traveled to The Ingles Farm in Radford, VA their main destination. Upon arriving they were greeted by hosts Malcolm Whittaker and John Jeffries dressed in period costumes. Giles RSVP was treated with a private tour of the two story log cabin and farm as well as special presentations explaining how flax was grown, harvested, milled and used to make linen. Mr. Whittaker recounted how farmers served in the militia and displayed many of the items they carried with them. As a surprise to all when it came to the explaining musket ball making one volunteer shared that she had made musket balls from lead in the 1950's as a child. Apparently her older brother had a musket gun that used the lead musket balls. Interesting facts was retold and enjoyed by all. Mr. Jeffries family owns the Ingles Farm and is a descendant of the famous settler Mary Draper Ingles. Mr. Jeffres is in the process of bringing it to full operation as it was in the 18th century. Several events are held at the Ingles farm, their web site is http://www.inglesferry.com/ for more details and dates. This was a great opportunity to reward and encourage new and existing volunteers to be involved with the Giles RSVP Program. To learn more please call Chris Blankenship at 921-2037.

No comments: