Clifton Forge Town Councilwoman Notes Local Volunteerism
| By Johnette Roberts
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As Clifton Forge Vice-Mayor Gayle Hillert explained in her recent article in the Virginian Review, it takes a real community effort to bring positive change to any locality and ours is no exception. We in Clifton Forge and the Alleghany Highlands believe that all non-profits working together will have the greatest impact for the social and economic well being of our community. In that vein, I thought it would be useful to prepare the following report of the non-profit groups and their volunteers who work every day for Clifton Forge and the Alleghany Highlands.
Clifton Forge Main Street (for the period January – July 4, 2015)
1. 2nd Annual Shortest St. Patrick Day Parade in Virginia – 150 attendees. Positive Impact: showcased 3 new businesses and brought in patrons who had not visited those businesses previously; Regional TV coverage (Roanoke station); repeat shopping from new customers as well as prior customers; more than 50 people have already inquired about plans for the 3rd Annual Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
2. 2nd Annual Easter Bonnet Parade - 125 attendees. Positive Impact: showcased our entire shopping district; participants included a number of folks who had not visited Clifton Forge previously; arts organizations in CF held classes prior to the parade to help participants create bonnets for the parade which in turn brought new clients to the arts organizations to discover their offerings; local farmers sold baked goods as a fund raiser for the Downtown Market.
3. 6th Alleghany Highlands Triathlon in May –275+ participants and spectators. The event involved the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, the Alleghany Highlands YMCA, the Clifton Forge School of the Arts and Local Businesses as sponsors. Positive Impact: Attracted participants from other communities in Virginia and from Florida, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. The event brought customers to Clifton Forge businesses, particularly restaurants and B & B’s/Inns.
4. Stars and Stripes Celebration – July 4, 2015 – 3,000+ attendees and participants in events throughout the day (11 a.m. – 10 p.m.) Positive Impact: Attracted visitors from other areas of Virginia and other states – as far away as New Mexico! Event showcased our entire Historic District, especially our public venues as visitor destinations. Local area restaurants benefitted, as well as B & B’s/Inns. Event drew the community together toward the common goal of creating a special celebration to show our entire Downtown community at its best. Visitors enjoyed local and professional musical talent. Local non-profits were able to raise money for their organizations.
5. Alleghany Highlands Gran Fondo Finish Line Party –150 attendees and participants. Positive Impact: Event hosted at the Masonic Amphitheatre to showcase the venue as a visitor destination in our Community. Non-profits had another opportunity to raise money for their organizations. Participants came from Virginia, as well as several other states. Event brought new visitors to Clifton Forge with a direct benefit to our restaurants and other businesses.
6. Downtown Market – every Friday from June through mid-October. Average visits 40+ per week. Positive Impact: Provides an opportunity for local farmers and businesses to market their products. Strongly supported by the local community.
7. Distribution of 3200 Information Packets from mid-April through mid-October to Douthat and Buckhorn Campground overnight visitors. Main Street Board Members and volunteers manually prepare and distribute packets of materials provided by Downtown merchants and service businesses. Positive Impact: Since April, a large number of visitors have been observed walking our Historic District enjoying our Town and referring to materials in their packets.
8. Other efforts of Main Street – Hosts regular monthly meetings to bring together all the various organizations who are directly involved in economic improvements for Clifton Forge. Attendees include leaders or representatives from the Town of Clifton Forge, AH Chamber of Commerce, Architectural review Board, AH Economic Development, Clifton Forge School of the Arts, Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center, the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation, Masonic Amphitheatre, Clifton Forge Library and the C & Historical Society/Heritage Center. Main Street Bloom Brigade volunteers plant and maintain gardens in public spaces and raise donations for seasonal hanging baskets.
Masonic Amphitheatre (Season is April through October 2015)
Total attendees through August 30, 2015: 6,633. Volunteers: 45, including promotion, graphics, photographer and those working the actual events. Total events scheduled for 2015 season: 46. To date, 36 programs have been presented with two cancelled due to rain and four more affected by inclement weather and a change of location. As of the end of August, Masonic Theatre, Inc. presented twenty-five events; eleven events were presented by other organizations. Only 16 of the 36 events required a purchased ticket. Eighteen of the 36 events were geared toward children and families. Two plays were presented by community theatre and starred members of the community. Eleven events were free of charge or donation only. Twenty-eight of the 36 events showcased local band and regional talent. Last season, two musical events, the WANNABEATLES and the Dynamic Superiors Motown, attracted 300+ people to each event. More than 425 attended the Winstons’ Motown Revue this year and the Amphitheatre enjoyed a wonderful turnout for the WANNABEATLES on August 30! Positive Impact: Events draw visitors from neighboring counties and jurisdictions, including Roanoke, Salem, Lexington and Staunton, Bath and Rockbridge counties, as well as West Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, North Carolina, Ohio, California, New Mexico and Japan. In addition, Alleghany Highlands Heritage Day 2015 drew over 1600 attendees and increased traffic and/or revenue for other non-profits such as CFSOTA, Clifton Forge Public Library, C&O Heritage Center, AHACC, and the Masonic Amphitheatre. It is the only event of its kind that celebrates and draws attention to the settlers and history of the region. Many of the performers and guests enjoy the town’s restaurants and stay in our B & B/Inns. Area restaurants report an average increase in revenue from 10-20% when the Amphitheatre holds an event.
Clifton Forge School of the Arts (CFSOTA) (for the period January 1, 2015 – August 21, 2015)
Total 3,792 visitors, class attendees and students: 3,792. This figure represents class attendance in regular classes for children and adults, the entire FREE FUN FRIDAY Summertime Program; the Jam Session the 3rd Friday of each month, weekly and often daily tours of the School’s two buildings and the newly installed two-acre landscaped garden behind and below the Mill at the school; public events and private parties. Classes at the CFSOTA are too numerous to mention all, but oil, acrylic, pottery, stained glass, guitar, piano, photography, blacksmithing, felting, knitting, crochet, and sculpture are just a few of the many classes offered.
Positive Impact: CFSOTA provides a resource for art instruction and exposure to the arts for those who may not have had an opportunity previously. Visiting artists and students come from other areas in Virginia and from other states. They stay at local B & B’s/Inns and enjoy the town’s restaurants and businesses.
Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center (AHACC) (or the period January – June 2015)
Total visitors: 3,564, including visitors from most of the 50 dates and 6 foreign countries, including Japan and Australia. The AHACC, founded in 1984, is the oldest non-profit in Clifton Forge, with the exception of the C & O Historical Society. Almost 30 years ago, the AHACC installed brown signs on major roads and interstates leading to Clifton Forge. These signs have brought many visitors to the AHACC. Based on statistics in past years, the AHACC anticipates that by December 2015, it will have between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors, from 48-50 states and about 30 foreign countries. In addition to its outstanding craft shop showcasing local and regional handcrafts, the AHACC also holds classes, some of which are free. In total thus far this year 109 students have enrolled in classes. The AHACC also volunteers and other events, including face painting for a large number of people at the Con of the Mountain event, selling ice cream at the Stars and Stripes event and offering free children’s art classes at the Stars and Stripes Picnic at the Amphitheatre. Positive Impact: Constant flow of visitors to Clifton Forge. Showcases art in our community. The many volunteer docents, cashiers and artist participants at the AHACC are great promoters of the Town and the Highlands, and provide visitors with brochures, rack cards and information on local restaurants, lodging, places to shop and other tourist sites. “Where is a good place to eat?” is a frequent question of visitors after they shop at the AHACC.
• Town of Clifton Forge
Clifton Forge Public Library (for the period April – August, 2015)
First Con of the Mountain – April 2015. 1100 attendees; 30 vendors and 55 special guests, including Jack Sparrow and other Cos Players. Attendees and special guests came from all over Virginia, as well as Maryland, North Carolina, Missouri, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Positive Impact: The event benefitted the Town’s businesses and restaurants, B & B’s/Inns, as well as non-profit food vendors. The next Con will be a 3-day event in early October 2016.
Library sponsored events for Children – 304 children attendees. Events to promote literacy and fun. Held at the Library and at the Masonic Amphitheatre. Positive Impact: Children are exposed to the fun of reading and learning in a safe and positive atmosphere.
Clifton Forge Armory Committee (for the time period January – July 2015)
1,375 athletes for basketball; 75 attendees for Tiny Miss Pageant; 500+ attendees at three auctions; 125 attendees at Jefferson School Reunion; 35+ attendees monthly for open gym. In 2009, the Town of Clifton Forge considered mothballing the Clifton Forge Armory building. A group of citizen volunteers came forward to keep the Armory open so that sports teams could continue to use its gymnasium and for others to use the Armory for various meetings. Since that time, the nine all-volunteer members of the Armory Committee have worked diligently to raise funds for the repairs and other work needed in the Armory building. Positive Impact: The Clifton Forge Armory is well known in the area as a center for indoor sports activities, as well as a venue for other events, including C & O Train Shows and auctions. The Armory has hosted a circus and has been contacted by Garden Brothers circus for a circus in November 2015. Sports at the Armory and other events always bring patrons to restaurants and other businesses in Town.
Friends of the Clifton Forge Public Library
The Friends of the Clifton Forge Public Library has 125+ members. These dedicated volunteers host two book sales each year to raise funds to benefit the Clifton Forge Public Library. In addition, the Friends have participated in the Masonic Amphitheatre’s TNT (Trash and Treasures) flea markets to raise additional funds for the Library. All of the funds from these events are used to buy important additions for the Library and to assist in funding Library sponsored events such as the recent Con of the Mountain. Positive Impact: The Clifton Forge Public Library is having an impact on literacy in the Town and providing more much needed children’s programming for the area.
Town of Clifton Forge Website: cliftonforgeva.gov (for the period January 1 – July 1, 2015
12,408 visits to the website. 78.51% of these visits were new visitors. Visitors came to the website primarily from Virginia, but there were visits from DC, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Florida, west Virginia, Illinois, New York and California. Positive Impact: The website assists visitors in finding restaurants, hotels and B & Bs, while they plan visits to the Town using the constantly updated calendar of things to do. The website also lists businesses and information for those interested in real estate or opening a business in Clifton Forge. Information on zoning, etc. is easily accessible.
2025 Corridor Curb Appeal Committee (2014 calendar year)
More than 1,000 volunteer hours by Committee members and other volunteers included 3 corridor cleanups, 5 houses painted, 8 homes trimmed and cleaning of the brush at the abandoned railway tunnel. Signs for the tunnel have been replicated and were installed by the Town of Clifton Forge Public Works Department. Positive Impact: The gateways to the Town of Clifton Forge are more appealing and welcoming to visitors.
Ridgely Historic Gardens (for the period April – August 23, 2015)
Visitors: 150+. Ridgely Historic Gardens is a restored and renovated historic garden, open to the public free of charge since 2013. Positive Impact: The gardens have welcomed visitors from the local areas including Bath and Rockbridge counties, as well as Ohio, DC, SC, NC, WV, NJ, MD, AL, GA, NM, Holland, Indonesia, Thailand, Mexico and England. The Gardens help to establish Clifton Forge as a tourist destination.
Additional Organizations that have Positive Impact on Clifton Forge and the Highlands:
Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (for the period January – June 30, 2015)
Visitors to the Chamber: 941. Positive Impact: The Chamber offices serve as the western gateway to the area. Visitors learn about the area and are provided with information and brochures to the area.
Civil War Trail Sites (2014-2015)
Through the Chamber of Commerce, and with primarily the diligence and persistence of one volunteer, three Civil War Trail sites have been identified and developed. While these sites are not located in the Town limits, they are very close: in Longdale Furnace, Selma and at the Chamber. With a small grant from the Alleghany Foundation and the Chamber, volunteers have installed Civil War Trail signs and kiosks, and within the last several weeks have installed three split rail fences at the sites. Positive impact: Civil War historians and enthusiasts visit the sites and come into Clifton Forge to shop, eat and perhaps find lodging.
Clifton Forge Woman’s Club (CFWC) (December each year)
Since 2009, the CFWC has hosted a Holiday Home Tour on the first Saturday in December. The Tour showcases 7-10 homes and churches in the area. Last year’s Tour brought more than 300 people to Clifton Forge from all over Virginia and WV. Each year, the AHACC has provided cookies and cider for Home Tour visitors. Positive Impact: The Holiday Home Tour has become well known in the area, with many repeat visitors from all over Virginia and West Virginia. Many of the visitors enjoy our restaurants and some spend the night in our B & B’s/Inns. The CFWC uses the proceeds from ticket sales to support local charities in our community.
Final thoughts:
As I was compiling the above information, I was struck by something that I knew, but had not truly appreciated. Clifton Forge is fortunate to have so many volunteers who are willing to dedicate their time and resources to making our town and the Highlands a better and more exciting place to live and visit. Within the last 8 or 9 years, our number of non-profits has increased with the addition of the Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation, Masonic Amphitheatre and the Clifton Forge School of the Arts. In addition, the Armory Committee and the Clifton Forge Public Library have stepped up and provide invaluable service to our community. As we all work together, our community will continue to grow and prosper economically. The Clifton Forge Town Council extends its heartfelt thanks to our community volunteers. If you are not already a volunteer, we invite you to join anyone of these organizations and become a part of the positive impact in our Town and the Alleghany Highlands.
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