Patrick County

To promote tourism and healthy lifestyles, the Patrick County Trail HANDS was developed by a team including Jim Allen, Terri Alt, Norma Bozenmayer, Mitch Sheppard, Beth Witt, Sarah Wray, Sybil Slate and Grace Helms. HANDS stands for Heritage, Art, Nature, Dreams and Stories, which the team plans to share about different communities while showcasing hiking trails in Patrick County. A giant cement hand, decorated by a local artist will be installed at five featured trails in different communities within Patrick County. The hands are being decorated by Nancy Clark, Grace Helms, Pepper Martin, Sarah Reyburn, and Joyce Wray. The Trail HANDS team is also creating a printed map of the hiking trails and assisting the Patrick County Tourism office with updating an on-line map of trails.

The Patrick County Barn Quilt Trail was designed to connect with barn quilt trails in neighboring counties to promote tourism. The project was developed by a team including Ursula Allen, Travis Bunn, Deana Clark, Laura Clark, Joni Hunt, Terri Leviner, Lisa Martin, and Chelsea Raby. A series of Barn Quilt workshops have been held for people to create a painted wooden quilt block that can be hung on a barn or other structure as part of the trail. Team members also painted barn quilts for those interested in being included on the trail. A printed and on-line map will be available for those who are interested in traveling along the trail to view the quilt blocks that will be located throughout the county.

To provide opportunities for area youth to gain entrepreneurial skills, the Rise and Shine Market was a project developed by a team including Beth Ford, Leigh Anne Hazelwood, Matilda Hunsicker, Kim Rakes, Sally Ann Rodgers, Sarah Sheppard, Rachel Van Sutphin and Steve Swartz. The market provides an opportunity for youth ages 8 – 18 to sell anything from produce and plants to fine arts and crafts. The first markets were held last July, August and September, and the Rise and Shine Market will continue to be held the second Saturday of each month during the summer and early fall. Virginia Cooperative Extension is taking the lead on sustaining the Rise and Shine market as part of its 4-H and youth programs.