December Workshops

DECEMBER 2010
Blackwater Community Computer Center
Workshop Schedule, Instructor, & Training Topic --

Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Emily Persinger - Introduction to Local Websites

Monday, December 6, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Joan Minor - Work from Home Online

Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Emily Persinger - Introduction to Email

Monday, December 13, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Joan Minor - Learn to Type and Print

NO DECEMBER CLASSES IN BLACKWATER AFTER DECEMBER 13TH.
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!! CLASSES WILL RESUME IN JANUARY.

New Banner Up in Blackwater

more training details

BLACKWATER COMMUNITY COMPUTER CENTER

CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2010
THURSDAY EVENINGS WITH EMILY

Instructor – Emily Persinger - A Thomas Walker High School graduate, Emily now attends Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN. She is pursuing a major in psychology and a minor in history. Emily explains, “I use the computer everyday for school work as well as my social life. I’ve used my computer skills working in an office environment for the past five years, in addition to my studies. I look forward to working with Blackwater citizens to help them learn the ins and outs of computers and the internet.”

Introduction to Facebook
This workshop helps participants to join and enjoy the world of Facebook, a fun way to stay in touch with friends and family.
Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM

Online Goal Setting Tips
This workshop introduces free articles and videos on the Internet to help you write down your dreams and achieve them.
Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM

Online Shopping
Tips for online shopping including how to buy, where to buy from, and when not to.
Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM

Introduction to Local Websites
This fun and easy workshop is thoroughly enjoyable.
Surf through some Lee County community and business websites.
Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM

Introduction to Email
This workshop is for people who have never even touched a computer.
Come get your free new email address!
Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM

Classes funded by USDA for the LENOWISCO Connect Blackwater project.

For more info, call Joan Minor at 445-4600.

November Workshops

NOVEMBER 2010 – Blackwater Computer Center
SCHEDULE - Instructors & Training Topics

Monday, November 1, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Joan Minor Learn to Type and Print

Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Emily Persinger Introduction to Facebook

Monday, November 8, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Joan Minor Learn to Surf the Web

Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Emily Persinger Online Goal Setting Tips

Monday, November 15, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Joan Minor Introduction to Excel

Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Emily Persinger Online Shopping

Monday, November 22, 2010 – NO CLASS – HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK!!
Thursday, November 25, 2010 - NO CLASS – HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK!!

Monday, November 29, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Joan Minor Sell Your Crafts Online

Vardy reunion - October 2, 2010

Looks like the annual Vardy Reunion event is THIS weekend! My Grandma loved the year she was able to attend the old Vardy school. Once upon a time, before I moved to Lee County, me and my child and my Dad and my Grandma (yes, that's 4 generations) all made the trip to Vardy together for this Vardy Reunion event. It's a wonderful memory.

Critters of Blackwater

The cattle and horses look content. The turtle was in the road. I got out to take his photo and then moved him out of the road.

Colors of Blackwater

It's almost October, but there's still lots of pretty flowers blooming along the Blackwater roadsides...

October workshops

OCTOBER 2010 - Blackwater Community Computer Center
Training Workshops Schedule

Monday, October 4, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Harold Jerrell
Digital Photography #1

Thursday, October 7, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Chelsey Rivers
Introduction to the Internet

Monday, October 11, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Harold Jerrell
Digital Photography #2

Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Chelsey Rivers
Introduction to Word

Monday, October 18, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Harold Jerrell
Digital Photography #3

Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Chelsey Rivers
Introduction to Excel

Monday, October 25, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Harold Jerrell
Digital Photography # 4

Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Chelsey Rivers
Introduction to Facebook

Blackwater WATER PROJECT

Blackwater residents are moving right along in gathering easements for the proposed public water line. A community meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 17, 2010 at 6:30PM at the Blackwater Fire Hall. Katie Osborne reports, "We have to have 105 easements signed, and we've got 58 signed so far. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we have water." For more information contact Katie Osborne at 346-3026.

October 16th - Fire Hall Fundraiser

On October 16, 2010 from about 11AM to 5 or 6PM, the Blackwater Fire Department will be hosting a fundraiser event at the fire hall. Festivities will include food and drinks, hay rides, horse and buggy rides, and gospel singing in the evening. Come and join the fun!!

September workshops

SEPTEMBER 2010 - Blackwater Workshops Schedule

Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Introduction to Computers


Monday, September 6, 2010 – NO CLASS


Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Introduction to the Internet


Monday, September 13, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Introduction to Word


Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Blogging Basics


Monday, September 20, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Introduction to Excel


Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Introduction to Facebook


Monday, September 27, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Work from Home Online


Thursday, September 30, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Introduction to Local Websites

E-Commerce: Mondays at 11AM

Computer and Internet training at the new Blackwater Community Computer Center during August include workshops on digital photography and e-commerce. E-commerce workshops will be offered on Mondays at 11:00AM. On Monday, August 16, 2010 at 11:00AM presenter Mikki Barker will provide an introductory workshop on e-commerce. E-commerce enables people to earn more money by using the Internet to promote or deliver their goods or services.
Mikki Barker will present an “E-Commerce 101” Internet training workshop on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 11:00AM. The workshop is the first in a series of three e-commerce training sessions to be presented by Mikki Barker in August at the Blackwater Community Computer Center. On Monday, August 23, 2010 at 11:00AM, Barker will present a workshop titled “Why Do I Need a Website?” The final workshop in the three-part e-commerce training series will be held on Monday, August 30, 2010 at 11:00AM, when Barker will present “Internet Marketing.” The workshops are designed to help those who may be considering using the Internet to help promote, launch, or improve their small business products, services, or operations. Barker has served as a southwest Virginia representative for Virginia Electronic Commerce Technology Center (VECTEC) where she managed the delivery of e-commerce technologies, training, and services to small and medium-sized businesses. In addition, her many years of business experience include web development, advertising, marketing and graphic design.
The workshops are free and open to the public. No registration is required. Seating is limited to 10 computer stations. The workshops have been designed to assist beginners with limited computer experience. The Blackwater Community Computer Center offers free access to high speed broadband Internet service in its 10-station computer center six days a week.
The Blackwater Community Computer Center is open on Mondays Noon – 6:00PM, Tuesdays 2:00PM – 6:00PM, Wednesdays 1:00PM – 6:00PM, Thursdays 2:00PM – 7:00PM, Fridays 10:00AM – 6:00 PM, and Saturdays 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The funding for the computer center and the workshops has been provided by a grant to LENOWISCO from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service - Community Connect grant program. For additional information about the upcoming workshops, contact Joan Minor at 445-4600.

Digital Photography - Thursdays 7PM

Photos used in this post are copyright by Harold Jerrell.

Free computer and Internet workshops at the new Blackwater Community Computer Center this month include training on digital photography and e-commerce. Digital photography workshops are held on Thursdays at 7:00PM. E-commerce workshops are held on Mondays at 11:00AM. On Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 7:00PM presenter Harold Jerrell will provide a workshop about digital photography titled “How to Take Images and Create Special Effects.” Harold Jerrell will present an additional digital photography workshop, titled “Turn Your Still Photos into a Movie with Music,” on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 7:00PM.

Each of the workshops are one-hour long. Instructor Harold Jerrell explains, “Have you recently purchased a digital camera? Are you confused with all the camera settings and do you just place the camera in AUTO mode and take pictures? If you would like to become more creative and learn how to use the camera’s settings to make better photographs then you are invited to participate in free digital photography workshops on Thursdays at 7:00PM at the Blackwater Community Computer Center beside the Blackwater Post Office. Subjects to be discussed will include working your images in the computer, removing unwanted objects such as dust spots or electrical lines, enhancing colors, cropping, sending photographs through e-mail, and finally how to create a DVD slideshow with music that can be watched on TV.”

Harold Jerrell’s photographs have appeared in numerous publications, including Blue Ridge Country magazine and the cover of “Virginia Wildlife” magazine. His photographs are also used on several websites, including http://www.rosehillvirginia.org/ and the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park website. With the theme, “Enjoying Nature through the Eye of the Camera,” Jerrell’s photographs have been exhibited at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia. Recently retired, Jerrell served as the Lee County Agricultural Extension Agent for Virginia Cooperative Extension for many years. His photographs are primarily outdoor nature scenes.

Vardy every 3rd Saturday - 10AM

The Vardy Community Historical Society meets here at the museum (on Vardy-Blackwater Road) every 3rd Saturday of each month. Everyone is invited to come! Many local residents work together through this wonderful non-profit organization to effectively preserve and promote the Vardy-Blackwater community's intriguing history. The grounds now include the Mahala Mullins cabin. For more information about the Vardy Community Historical Society, contact W.C. "Claude" Collins, P.O. Box 112, Sneedville TN 37869, telephone (423) 733-2305. Claude is in the picture in this post. He is a decendent of Vardemon Collins. In addition to serving as Treasurer for the Vardy Community Historical Society, he also serves as a Board Member of the Melungeon Heritage Association. Both organizations have websites. Go to www.vardyhistoricalsociety.org and www.melungeon.org. I was tickled to see Mr. "Claude" Collins among the huge crowd at the Grand Opening event for the Blackwater Community Computer Center.

Annual Blackwater Reunion

I got a call today from Charles A. Cox. I sure enjoyed talking with him. He is one of the organizers behind the annual Blackwater High School reunion. This photo was taken in 2008. The church across the street purchased the building and has completed significant repairs and improvements. When I took this picture, I could easily see that someone had put all new windows in the building, and that the building and grounds were well maintained. I knew somebody was taking care of that building, but I didn't know who, until Mr. Cox called today. It's the church across the street, and they host the reunions inside the old high school each year. Mr. Cox maintains the mailing list for the annual reunions. Anybody interested in getting on the mailing list to be notified of next year's Blackwater High School reunion is encouraged to contact Mr. Cox at: Charles A. Cox, Rt. 1 Box 1847, Dryden VA 24243. His telephone number is (276) 546-1390.

Blackwater Water Project

LENOWISCO's Facebook page now includes a discussion on the Blackwater Water Project. I have copied the discussion below:

Jeremiah: I was wondering what the status of the Blackwater Water Project in Lee County is. Has the funding been secured? Are there any potential roadblocks that could stop this project from being completed? Thanks

Glen: The plans and specs are still awaiting approval from the Health Department. The attorney just finished the paperwork on a substantial number of easements that now must be executed by individual land owners. A community meeting needs to be planned soon to bring everyone up to date. Biggest thing holding up the project now are the easements. They can be difficult to acquire sometimes. A big community meeting will help get the ball rolling.

Computer Center Operating Hours

Blackwater residents eagerly started using the computers immediately after the Grand Opening event. The Blackwater Community Computer Center is open noon-6pm on Mondays, 2pm-6pm on Tuesdays, 1pm-6pm on Wednesdays, 2pm-7pm on Thursdays, 10am-6pm on Fridays, and 10am-6pm on Saturdays. Computer and Internet training workshops are held at the Blackwater Community Computer Center on Mondays at 11AM and Thursdays at 7PM.

more Grand Opening event photos

Folks listen to U.S. Congressman Boucher's remarks














Lee County Administrator Dane Poe (left)

Paul Elswick (left) of Sunset Digital Communications and Harold Jerrell (right), event photographer and Digital Photography trainer

lots of people

U.S. Congressman Rick Boucher and Jerry Harris, Member of of Lee County Board of Supervisors

Event Speakers

U.S. Congressman Rick Boucher

Jerry Harris, Member of the Lee County Board of Supervisors

Travis Jackson (center), Area Manager,

Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Skip Skinner, Executive Director, LENOWISCO Planning District Commission

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

U.S. Congressman Boucher's remarks

Launch of Blackwater Broadband Services

August 5, 2010

Blackwater, Virginia

I am pleased to return to Lee County today to mark another major success in our effort to expand high-speed Internet services throughout Southwest Virginia.
Today, we formally launch the Blackwater community’s new broadband service, a project which will make available affordable, high-speed Internet services to 90 residents and businesses. Additionally, a new public Internet access site connected to the new broadband network has been established here at the Blackwater Post Office.
More than fifteen years ago, I encouraged local governments throughout the Ninth District to find a means of deploying broadband networks so that affordable high-speed Internet access would be available to businesses and residents throughout our region. My goal in making this recommendation was to set our region apart in comparison to other rural areas of the nation, to make us more attractive than the typical rural region to industries looking to expand their operations into new locations, and to create technology-based jobs for Southwest Virginians.
Today, I am pleased to note that many of the communities in our region, and in Lee County in particular, are making great strides in the deployment of broadband networks. In January, we launched high-speed Internet services in the community of St. Charles in Lee County, last year we launched services in Ewing, and two years ago, we launched services in Rose Hill. The new broadband services that begin today in Blackwater will mark another major step forward in our efforts to ensure high speed Internet access is available to Lee County residents.
The broadband services now available in Blackwater have been established with the assistance of a grant of $759,600 provided at my urging by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Rural Utilities Service Community Connect broadband grant program. For the last several years, I have encouraged communities throughout our region to seek federal funds from this program, and I am pleased to report that we have secured a total of more than $2 million for the broadband services in Rose Hill, Ewing, St. Charles, and now Blackwater.
With assistance of the federal grant of $759,600 for the Blackwater community, 90 residents and businesses now have access to high-speed Internet services. In addition, the Blackwater Community Computer Center, which opens today, has been established to provide free high speed Internet access to residents at convenient times.
The Blackwater Community Computer Center includes 10 new computer workstations outfitted with the latest computer equipment. The Center provides high-speed Internet services to residents without charge six days a week. Additionally, the new Center provides free computer and Internet training workshops for those with limited computer experience on Monday mornings at 11:00 AM and on Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM.
With the benefit of the federal grant, LENOWISCO has deployed more than 18 miles of fiber optic cable from its Internet backbone over the “last mile” to the homes and businesses in Blackwater. The services just recently became available, and already sixteen homes and businesses have connected to the network.
In addition, high speed Internet services have been provided at no cost for the next two years to the Blackwater Volunteer Fire Department, and a community website for Blackwater has been established. You can visit the new community site at http://www.blackwaterva.org/.
Just as first canals, then railroads and then highways were the major arteries of commerce in earlier eras, in the 21st Century, access to broadband will be a defining feature of economic success for rural communities. Step by positive step our expanding broadband infrastructure is assuring that Southwest Virginia’s communities will be at the center of economic opportunity.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a number of individuals without whom the success we celebrate today would not have been possible.
I want to thank Skip Skinner, Executive Director of LENOWISCO, and his excellent staff for their outstanding efforts to expand the region’s infrastructure and to maintain the region’s broadband networks.
I would also like to thank Paul Elswick, with Sunset Digital Communications, for his work to bring Internet services to the region.
Richard Jenkins, the Regional Field Representative for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service, deserves our recognition today for his efforts to secure the federal grant funds necessary for the project.
I would like to thank the Virginia Tobacco Commission for providing matching funds in the amount of $125,000 to assist with the project. Delegate Terry Kilgore is the Chairman of the Commission, and I would like to thank him for his leadership and foresight in supporting our region’s broadband infrastructure. I also want to thank Senator Wampler, who represents this area in the State Senate, for joining us today and for his efforts to promote broadband expansion throughout our region.
I also want to thank Kenny Osborne, Chief of the Blackwater Fire Department, for joining us today and offer him congratulations on the new broadband services. Chris Begley, another property owner in the Blackwater community is joining us today, and I would also like to thank him for his efforts.
Finally, I would like to recognize Laura Lee, my Deputy Chief of Staff, for the work she has performed for this project. I place a high priority in my office in obtaining successes much like the one we celebrate today, and Laura’s work is vital to our efforts to deploy new broadband technology throughout Southwest Virginia.
The broadband services now available in Blackwater are an example of what can be achieved when citizens and government officials at the local, state and federal levels work together and cooperate in aid of a common purpose. For that cooperation and successful work in providing high speed Internet service for the Blackwater community, I want to commend all here and offer special congratulations to the residents who are receiving this service.

Wilderness Road Dulcimer Players

Members of the Wilderness Road Dulcimer Club provided entertainment as the crowd awaited the arrival of U.S. Congressman Rick Boucher.

Grand Opening Day

cars were lined up all the way down the road...

Great Turn-Out!!

There was an EXCELLENT turn-out for the Grand Opening event at the new Blackwater Community Computer Center on Thursday... standing room only!

computer center photos

The computer center renovations are completed. Now we just need a big sign to let folks know what's available inside the center. Looking forward to the Grand Opening event on August 5th.

August Workshops Schedule

August Workshops Schedule

BLACKWATER COMPUTER CENTER
COMPUTER AND INTERNET TRAINING WORKSHOPS

SCHEDULE FOR AUGUST 2010

Monday, August 9, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Joan Minor - Introduction to the Internet

Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Harold Jerrell - Digital Photography #1

Monday, August 16, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Mikki Barker - E-Commerce # 1

Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Harold Jerrell - Digital Photography #2

Monday, August 23, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Mikki Barker - E-Commerce # 2

Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Harold Jerrell - Digital Photography #3

Monday, August 30, 2010 at 11:00AM – noon
Mikki Barker - E-Commerce # 3

Grand Opening on August 5th

The Grand Opening Event for the Blackwater Community Computer Center will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 11:30AM.

The Blackwater Community Computer Center is located in the heart of Blackwater on Highway 70 in the Blackwater Post Office Building. This photo was taken during the building renovations. Come see the new look and visit the new computer center!

The Blackwater Community Computer Center will offer free computer and broadband Internet access and training.

Future Blackwater Computer Center site

The Connect Blackwater project will offer free computer and Internet access at the new Blackwater Community Computer Center. the computer center will be located in the same building as the Blackwater Post Office. Building renovations are underway currently to prepare the location for the new Blackwater Community Computer Center. Here's a recent short video of the building during renovations.

festivities at Spring Heritage Day

Vardy Community Historical Society's mission is

"Preserving the Past for the Future." Spring Heritage Day festivities included:

old tractor show ~ small engines ~ wood carving ~ soap making ~ Blackwater Iron blacksmiths ~ chair and basket weaving ~ corn meal making ~ apple butter stir-off ~ cast iron soup beans ~ walking canes making~ quilting ~ broom making ~ making handmade dolls ~ bluegrass/gospel singing

Spring Heritage Day

Spring Heritage Day was held on Saturday, June 5, 2010 on Vardy-Blackwater Road by the Vardy Community Historical Society. This 29 second video was taken upon my arrival at the event.