The third annual Celebrate Pamplin Day will open with the Ralph M. Hamlett Memorial 5K Fun Run and Walk at 9 a.m. on September 19 at the current western end of the High Bridge Trail on Heights School Road in Pamplin. It is a fast out and back on a very flat packed gravel course. Runners of all abilities and walkers are welcomed. Trophies will be awarded for the top three overall male and female finishers, as well as keepsake finisher metals and tee shirts will be awarded to all participants.

Ralph M. Hamlett, a 1972 graduate of Appomattox County High School and 1976 graduate of Virginia Tech, always had an interest in the community and government says former teacher Edwina Covington. He became actively involved with the Town of Pamplin by serving on town council from 1982 to 1986. He was appointed mayor in 1984 and was elected to the office to serve from 1988 to 1993 when he resigned to accept a job out of town. After spending seven years working in North Carolina, Texas, and Mississippi, he returned to his beloved hometown only to succumb to heart complications in 2000.   

Under Hamlett’s leadership, the town secured a water system in the 1980s and received a grant which kept them from raising taxes. He led community opposition to a medical waste incinerator in Pamplin and lead negotiations with the U.S. Air Force for damages caused to local homes from low-flying jets.

He was funny, witty, kind and passionate about what he believed in and universally liked by all.

Marking 15 years since his passing, Town Councilwoman Sarah Hamlett says of her father, “The race was named after him because he was very passionate about Pamplin and the people here and this is a way of continuing to give back to the community in his honor. All proceeds from this fundraiser go towards the Depot Restoration Fund, continuing his vision for the revitalization of the community he so dearly loved.”

The Memorial Run Walk owes a thanks to its generous sponsorship from Fire & Safety in Concord, Appomattox True Value Hardware, The Aid Station, BB&T, Eco-X, the YMCA, Farm Bureau Insurance, Graphic Designs, Pamplin Exxon Service Center, The High Bridge Trail and Friends of the Trail, Sleeping Bee, and the Pamplin Area Legacy Supporters.

Online registration is at RaceIt.com through September 5 for a fee of $25 with a guaranteed tee shirt. Paper registration for $35 is through race day. Race packet pick up will be at the Pamplin Depot on September 18 from noon to 7 p.m. and race day packet pick up will be from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Community Communiqué

The Glenn Memorial Senior Adult Ministry will host its annual picnic for seniors this Friday evening at 6 p.m. Bring a friend to enjoy an evening of good food and fellowship.  The entire community is invited to a gospel concert by Smokey Wilson at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

Prospect United Methodist Church is hosting its monthly Cowboy Church this Saturday. The trail ride will begin at 2 p.m. with chuck wagon meal at 6 p.m. Cowboy Church around the campfire with music and an inspirational message by Pastor George Schaefer will begin at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Prospect United Methodist Charge will hold its annual picnic at Holliday Lake at Shelter #2 this Sunday at 4 p.m. 

The Prospect Historical Society will meet this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Prospect firehouse.

The Pamplin Town Council will meet this Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Council Room of the Depot.

The free Old Time Dance with dinner will be held Saturday, September 5.  Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. with music at 6:30 p.m.

Paul and Lisa Hoffman just returned from a Great Lakes Book Tour trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Canada. Along the way they visited Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores and visited with many lifelong friends. 

On August 21, Paul and Ann Greene traveled to Big Island and visited with her aunt Rachel LeWarne Turpin surprising her with dinner, birthday gifts, and a card for her 88th birthday on August 23. She enjoyed a family get together for her birthday on Sunday.

Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers: Kenneth Brisentine, Dorothy Womack, Betty Jean Bolt, Gary Fiscus, and Vicki White.

Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Q. E. Wilhelmi and Carrie Mae Mann East.

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” – Albert Camus

If you have any news, call Edwina Covington (574-6576).