“Anything that speaks to me,” may appear on a canvas from the talented hands of Madisonville area artist Diane Hindenlang. Over 25 of her acrylics are on display in the Pamplin Depot Community Room from June through August with a reception for her on July 11. Viewing her works is like taking a ride along the country roads with flowers, barns, winding trails, rail tracks, and more to capture your imagination.

Although Diane has only lived in the immediate area for two years, she is a south central piedmont Virginia native having grown up in Lynchburg. Her interest in art goes back to her childhood when she had pens and pencils to draw on those white cardboard sheets that came in nylon hosiery packages.

Her high school art teacher was her mentor allowing her to work independently of other students in class.

Marriage and children put her interest in art on hiatus for about 25 years. She recalls that her children got into her oil paints and “decorated” the rental property where they were living.

Having no formal training in art, Diane has learned some techniques from programs on PBS and from studying art works and artists. She has worked with oils and watercolors but prefers acrylics because “I don’t have to wait all night for it to dry.”

She finds a “spiritual connection in painting and nature. Something miraculous happens when you put seed in the the ground,” and so it is with her and the brush and the canvas.

Diane calls herself “artsy craftsy.” She has refinished furniture, loves to write, and is currently keeping a notebook “Moving the Girl to the Country” for her children and grandchildren. She has painted scenes behind church baptisteries and done murals in daycare centers and has also written several religious holiday programs for her churches.

Speaking of her move to this area, she comments, “A lot of things came together at one time. Coming to Pamplin is like some place that I wanted to be.” She likes the good country people, the land, and the atmosphere here.

Community Communiqué

Celebrate the Fourth of July, at the Old Time Picnic and Dance in the Pamplin Depot Freight Room on July 4 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The picnic fare will include hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, Cole slaw, and grilled summer squash, with dessert, all for only $4. Soft drinks and water are always included.

The monthly first Saturday Old Time Dance is an all volunteer effort to raise money for the Pamplin Depot Fund. The original goal of raising the money to finish the Freight Room floor has been accomplished.

Come out and be among the first to enjoy the best dance floor around. The next goal is to raise enough money to refurbish the two antique railroad station benches in the Freight Room.

The Prospect Historical Society will meet on July 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Prospect fire house.

Area children are actively involved in vegetable gardening at the Pamplin Depot this summer. Under the leadership of Ms. Minerva Venable of PALS (Pamplin Area Legacy Supporters), the children meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

They begin their day with a session on health and nutrition led by Prince Edward County SNAP-ED agent Pauline Stokes. Afterwards they go out to tend to their train planter garden filled with tomatoes, green beans, squash, and herbs.

SPOT and DOT the Book Bus, sponsored by the Appomattox Literacy Intervention Program, stops by for the children to enjoy reading and borrowing books.

Mt. Lyle Church 5th Annual Scholarship Fund Fish-Fry was a great success. Scholarship Director Paulie Johnson said, “I would just like to thank everyone who participated in set-up, cooking, serving, break-down, and spreading the gospel.

Most importantly the ones who came out to support us; we really enjoyed the fellowship. We had a great time, many laughs, and meeting new people within the Pamplin community.

I would also like to thank Mr. Shah, owner of Tolley’s Market, for allowing us to use the parking lot.”

Lisa and Paul Hoffman floated the James River from Bent Creek to James River State Park with the Bateau Festival last Monday.

Hilda Allen, her sister-in-law Ginny Peterson, and her son and wife Mike and Joyce McPhillips spent Thursday to Sunday in Damascus with Laurie and Kevin Justus. Mike stayed on in Damascus, participating in the six-day Bike in Virginia Tour in the Highlands of Virginia and Tennessee.

Aurelia Covington Boyce, Julian and Edwina Covington, and Carol Ann Carwile Reynolds, all of the Elam area, attended the 52nd class reunion of the Class of 1963 of Prince Edward Academy on Saturday evening.

Fran Wilkerson Shirey is in visiting for a few days.

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

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.” – John Fitzgerald Kennedy

If you or your local organization has news or announcements to share with the community, please call Edwina Covington (574-6576) or email her at ecovington@centurylink.net with the subject line Elam-area news.