Gateway was asked to do the landscaping for the new Henry County welcome signs that were erected at the major highway entrances leading into the county.  The two older welcome signs were updated so that there are now eight identical signs strategically placed to welcome visitors to the county.

Traffic entering the Henry County from the north will pass the signs on 220 North and Route 108.  Traffic entering from the east will pass the signs on Route 57 East and Route 58 East.  Traffic entering from the south will pass the sign on 220 South and Route 87 South.  Traffic entering from the west will pass by the sign on Route 57 West and Route 58 West.  The signs were of course placed as close to the county borders as possible.

The landscape design was completed so that the beds would have something appealing for the visitors to view during all seasons.  The challenges for designing the landscaping included, different soils, lighting and the size of the beds were of various dimensions.  Most of the landscaping has some common features, but required customizing for each site.  The largest bed measured seven feet long, while the smallest bed only had three feet of planting area.  The difference in planting bed size was due to the different orientation of the signs and the topography near the signs.

Some plants were used in all the sites and others were planted because of specific site requirements.  The following is a list of the plants used: Dwarf Nandina, Andorra Juniper, Sky Pencil Holly, Azalea, Nandina Domestica, Pink Knock Out Roses and Variegated Liriope.  Trees were of course included in the plan and Natchez Crape Myrtles were planted as well as Nellie Stevens Holly.  This plant material forms the framework to provide seasonal color without any other amenities.  Racing flags were added on the perimeter of the sites during the Nascar Race weekends for added interest.

The sites were designed leaving room to plant seasonal color also.  We provided color that lasted all spring, summer and fall with flowers that were grown in our greenhouse.  The seasonal flowers included Wave Petunias, Vincas, Angelonia, Caladiums, Impatiens and Verbena.  These plants all performed well and provided for a beautiful bouquet of colors for visitors until the recent killing freeze.  The real challenge came to keep them alive with a growing season that included a late spring freeze, high winds and a drought!  We prevailed and have now replanted the majority of the sites with the fall plants which include Pansies and three different types of Kale.  They will be smiling at you as you drive by during the winter and early spring.  Special thanks go to the Henry County PSA for their assistance with tilling, planting and mulching the landscaping.

2007 VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
ROY PRILLAMAN

- Works for the Martinsville Sheriff’s Department. The following is what he did to help this year:

• Helped with Christmas Tree Recycling project.
• Helped with Winter and Fall Smith River Cleanups.
• Helped with the Household Hazardous Waste Day on April 14^th and October 27th at the Henry County Administration Bldg.
• He has one of his inmates, good with small motors, work and repair our equipment.
• He had the inmates paint the uptown baskets.
• His inmates mowed our sites in Martinsville.
• He watered baskets while Lois was on vacation.
• He put together a table for the greenhouse.
• He picked up soil and took to greenhouse
• He helped Lois pick up furniture donated for our Golf Tournament and took it to the country club.
• Helped Lois get the truck started when battery was dead.
• Roy helps Lois on a daily basis.

NANCY PHILPOTT

- She has helped Gateway in the following ways in 2007.

• She helped with the Tree Pruning Workshop.

• She helped with the Winter Smith River Cleanup.

• She helped with Arbor Day Uptown.

• She helped with the Uptown Pot Planting.

• She helped with the TGIF Concert Uptown.

• She got a team together and played in the Gateway Golf Tournament.

• She helped in January with mailing out membership letters.

• She helped in March to hand out flyers for Household Hazardous Waste Day.

• She went out and helped do some planting in May.

• She judged the nominations for the Curb Appeal Awards.

• Makes sure VDOT takes care of medians in Stanleytown, on Kings Mountain Road and Commonwealth Boulevard.

CHRISTMAS TREES ARE RECYCLED AND REUSED

Two hundred and twenty-seven Christmas trees have been turned into mulch that will be used for our landscaped sites. This is a great way to recycle, reuse and reduce. The trees have been recycled into mulch, reused for landscaping and thus reduced from the waste stream that goes to the transfer station. Thanks to the City of Martinsville, Henry County PSA, and the Martinsville Sheriff’s Department for their assistance with this project. Thanks also to all the local citizens that took the time to drop their trees off at the tree farm.

STOP TOPPING TREES!

            There are numerous reasons why you should not top your trees.  Trees depend on their leaves for their manufacture of food and when you remove more than ¼ to ½ of the crown, you cut off its food-making ability.  The tree’s crown is like a sunshade that protects the bark from the direct rays of the sun and when you remove its top, you expose it to scalding and death.  Leaving behind large stubs at the end of the limbs leaves them exposed to disease and insects.  Think of it like leaving a large wound open on your skin and not protecting it with a Band-Aid.  The weak sprouts that develop from the large limbs are weaker and more prone to disease.  These “water sprouts” grow rapidly and form a weaker crown than what the tree developed naturally. 

Trees are a valuable asset.  A topped tree is just plain ugly and the tree never regains its original grace and character.  There are some valuable points to remember about topping.  The first is don’t ever top a tree.  Be sure to plant trees where they can grow naturally and won’t interfere with wires or buildings.  If pruning is necessary, consult a certified arborist or pick up a brochure and read about pruning.  The County Extension office has some excellent brochures on pruning and they are free!  If a tree has outgrown its space, don’t torture it, just cut it down.

2007 CURB APPEAL
END OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS

COUNTY HORTICULTURE RESIDENCE
Heather & Robert Grogan

CITY HORTICULTURE RESIDENCE
A.C. & Lucy Wilson

COUNTY HORTICULTURE BUSINESS
Pro Automotive, Inc.

CITY HORTICULTURE BUSINESS

Bestwood Products

COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS
Greater Refuge Temple the Center of Deliverance

CITY ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS
Prillaman & Pace, Inc.

CITY ENVIRONMENTAL RESIDENCE
The Haven

“TRASH TO RICHES RECYCLING CONTEST A SUCCESS”

Gateway Streetscape Foundation is promoting recycling through its recycled art contests. The goal is to increase student awareness of recycling and waste minimization. This is the third year that we have held the contest and we are amazed at the work that the students produce. Local youth from all grade levels were invited to enter a piece of three-dimensional art that uses “throw away recycled materials”. The acceptable recyclables that were used for the art were as follows: Paper products could include catalogs, hard and softbound books, junk mail, magazines, newspaper, office paper, phone books and all types of cardboard. Containers using #1 and #2 plastic, aluminum cans, steel cans, glass and rubber were acceptable. Monetary prizes were offered for first and second place winners in three grade levels. Forty seven students entered their art work this year. Grades nine through twelve qualified for the high school prizes. Unfortunately, we did not have any entries from the area high schools so more prizes were awarded to middle school participants. Grades six through eight qualified for middle school prizes. The winners were Kiona Wells and Taneisha Ross for their “raccoon.” A first place award went to Amber Quesinberry for her “frog” and an additional first place award went to Angela Ramos for her “boat.” Second place awards were given to April Stoneman for her “robot”,Tiffany Archer for her “palm tree” and to Michael Rogers, Nicholas Powell and Jake Abell for their “Rocket”. The grades kindergarten through fifth qualified for the elementary school prizes. The winner was Keyode Wells for his “business card holder”. The recycled art work was on display on the second floor of the Henry County Administration Building until January and their work brightened the day for many people that passed by it on a daily basis.

CITY OF MARTINSVILLE NAMED TREE CITY, USA
 
The City of Martinsville was named a TREE CITY, USA by The National Arbor Day Foundation and the award was presented to the City of Martinsville on April 28, 2007. The award was presented by Virginia Urban Forestry Coordinator, Mr. Paul Revell to Mayor Kimble Reynolds, Jr.
The award is designed to provide initial direction for an urban or community forestry program. A tree city will begin the process by starting with education. A group or organization such as Gateway will discuss standards and will work closely with the Virginia forestry staff. The Virginia Urban Forester, Mr. Paul Revell, has aided Gateway by suggesting technical advice and other educational assistance.
The City of Martinsville’s public image will be enhanced by becoming a Tree City USA because most modern citizens will want to live and do business in a community that cares about its environment. It also shows prospective businesses that the quality of life is important to the City of Martinsville.
Another less tangible benefit is the feeling of pride that comes with the award. It means a great deal to the tree workers, managers, volunteers and tree board members who work on behalf of better care of our community trees. It can translate to better care on private property and it promotes volunteerism.
Grant makers will often allocate and award grant funds to organizations that have achieved the Tree City status because it shows a commitment to natural resource preservation. The City of Martinsville has partnered with Gateway Streetscape Foundation to promote and care for its urban trees and that contributes to Gateway’s grant making abilities.
Having tree related celebrations such as our Annual Arbor Day Uptown, provides publicity for the City of Martinsville, the Virginia Department of Forestry, Martinsville Uptown Revitalization Association and Gateway Streetscape Foundation. It is great publicity for all the organizations and is educational as well. This year’s program included local elected officials, Mayor Kimble Reynolds, Jr., Councilman Mrs. Kathy Lawson and Councilman Mr. Ron Ferrill. The State of Virginia was represented by State Senator Roscoe Reynolds and the State Urban Forestry Coordinator, Mr. Paul Revell. The guest speaker was our U.S. Congressman, Virgil Goode, Jr.
The celebration also included the reading of the Arbor Day Poetry contest winning poems which were read by the poets. Ms. Kaylee Nicole Crawford won with The Growing Green Giants. She attends Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School. Mr. Stephen Thomas Brockway won with To Destroy A Tree. He attends Magna Vista High School.
The City of Martinsville received a Tree City USA flag, signs, and a commemorative plaque to be proudly displayed. Thanks to all the dedicated people in the City of Martinsville that recognize the value of trees and the effect that they can have on a community.

MEMORIAL TREE PROGRAM -A Living Honorarium

If you’re thinking of gifts, why not give something that helps beautify the city of Martinsville, is environmentally friendly, and is a long-standing gift? Honor your friend, a loved one or an occasion with a tree in Uptown Martinsville.   You may sponsor a tree to establish a lasting reminder of friends and family members who have passed way. 
For more information about the Martinsville Uptown/Gateway Streetscape Memorial/Honor Tree Program contact us at 276-634-4674.  There will be an Arbor Day Celebration on April 26, 2008