Fodderstack

Fodderstack

Race Plans

Underway

Earth Day Activities

To Enrich Weekend

Fifty runners had pre-registered by late March for the 16th Annual Fodderstack 10KM Classic Saturday April 23.

The race is organized by the Rappahannock Recreational Facilities Authority. Once again the principal sponsor of the event is The Inn at Little Washington.

The first 250 runners or walkers to complete the course receive T-shirts.

Trophies will be awarded to the first three finishers in each category with a fourth place trophy in the 12 and under categories. The trophies are made by Meryl Strange.

Again the Eva L. Smith Memorial trophy will be given to the first man and first woman from Rappahannock County to finish the race. ,

This year the women’s race should be wide open, since Nina Stamer, who has won this trophy for the past two years has moved outside the county and won’t be eligible for it.

High school senior Jason Waters, who has won the men’s division of the Eva Smith trophy for the past two years is expected to compete again, and he may well better last year’s time of36:56.

Again the Virginia Savings Bank of Front Royal is offering a $300 cash prize to anyone who breaks the men’s record of 32:26 set by Steve Pinard in 1985 or the women’s record of 36:46 set by Kim Belyea in 1984. If both records are broken the cash prize will be split.

Fees for pre-registration are $14. They may be mailed with a registration form to the Rappahannock Recreational Authority, P.O. Box 124, Flint Hill, VA. 22627, and must be postmarked no later than April 15, the same day federal tax returns are due to be mailed.

If that deadline is missed registration may be as late as 9:30 a.m. the morning of the race at the starting point in Flint Hill. In that case the fee is $17.

For further information call Bet Gehringer at 6753342. Evenings and weekends leave a message on the answering machine.

Since Earth Day April 22 falls on Friday of the

same weekend, RLEP’s president Hunt Hai^ is making plans to provide a full weekend of activities for county residents and visitors.

“Here in Rappahannock, where we celebrate Earth Day everyday, there will be several activities worth noting that will be taking place on or around this date,” he said.

The Rappahannock Elementary School’s newly formed Environmental Club will concentrate all week on Earth related topics, culminating in an open house at the school from 1-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 23.

On Friday, April 22 from 4 p.m. until dark there will be an open community gathering at the Rappahannock County Park. Anyone wishing to join together for fun and fellowship, music and merriment in honor of the Earth is welcome. Peggy Shadier and the “Friends of Gaia” Earth Theatre Troupe will perform their latest skit at 5:30, and local groups such as RLEP will have information tables set up for updates on local and regional environmental issues, concerns and activies. Contact Hunt Harris at 636-3066 if you would like to participate. “Sorry, no vendors or sales of any kind,” Mr. Harris said.

The Rappahannock High School Environmental Club has plans to take a field trip to the Rainforest Exhibit in Washington, D.C. at the National Zoo. Beth Gall is the club’s co-ordinator for the trip, so call her if you’d like to know more at 987-8575.

Finally, on Sunday, April 24, the first in a series of hikes to special local places will take place. The series entitled “Step-By-Step,” will be conducted by Mr. Harris along with other community members and friends as a means of enhancing educational and recreational programs in our unique Rappahannock environment.

The hike on the 24th is to White Oak Canyon in the full moon. Meeting time(s) and location(s) are 3 p.m. at the county park or 3:40 p.m. at the White Oak trailhead. Cost is free! Contact Hunt Harris for more information.