Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 8 · column 3 of 3 · from the scan, no model involved
By Betsy Parker ,
Rappahannock Nows Staff Wntor
FT .TNT HILL — When huntsman Gerald Keal and two dozen Old Dominion hounds disappears into a thicket just north of Windrush Farm Saturday, it is a timeless image of scarlet-clad horseman and hunting dogs traversing the Virginia Piedmont. Though the year is 2008. it could have been 1908. or before: the woodlands. Blue Ridge Mountain backdrop, open fields bordered by stone walls remain unchanged from a century ago. Foxhunting, which was imported to the area with English settlers, persists in the still-rural region.
As the pack exits the far side of the covert, however, they re-enter [ the bustling 21st century. Towering metal pylons and dozens of hum' ming wires stretch from horizon to horizon.' The hounds don't seem to notice, intent on casting themselves forward: Keal doesn't look up, his attention riveted ahead to a strike hound who spoke briefly.
But the hundred or so livened riders following the pack certainly notke.
The power line is why they’re here.
More than 100 mounted followers - and nearly as many car-toppers and foot followers - attended a hunt meet hosted by the Old Dominion Hounds Jan. 12, each donating $50 to the Fhwerhne Landowners Alliance that was created to fight a Dominion Riwer Company proposal to increase the height of the existing power towers and widen the right of way The power line bisects the ODH territory in Rappahannock County; Old Dominion is kenneled in Orlean but they hunt fixture's in both Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties.
All told, adding the hunting foe plus money raised at silent and live auctions after the meet, PLA raised more than $28,000, tunds which will go towards lobbying Virginia's General Assembly and tor attorneys to represent the association, organizers said.
Saturday's joint meet was co-sponsored by the Warrenton-based Casanova Hunt. Members, stall and masters from the Loudoun Hunt and Blue Ridge* Hunt also attended; all four himts have territory that will be affected by the powerhne and its increased size.
“We knew a joint meet would attract the most supporters,” explained benefit organizer Gale Johnson, an Old Dominion member whose Saga Farm is bordered by the existing Dominion power line. “It affects the whole area, not just our backyard”
At issue is Dominion Pow er’s plan to double the size of the existing transmission line, in height and right-of-way width, to increase power to the populous northeast corridor.
The widened powerhne transects Kmlenck County and Warren, Rappahannock, Fauquier. Prince William and Loudoun Counties.
In addition to raising vital funds for the PI A and the powerline fight, the hunting day itself was a success, according to Claire* Palmer, first whip for ODH. Two braces of taxes were* found, with two runs of more than 40 minute's e*ach, both were* over a thre*e*-mile* point.
Photographer Dana Thompson has pasted many image's of the joint meet on her We*b site: www.pnntnxmi.com/pra/danathompson. Angefoa Kelly of HorseGirlTV conducted a live interview with ODH master Gus Forbush - sex* it online at www.horse*girltv.com. There* are also image's on the* ODH We*b site: www.old-dominion-hounds.org.
44.3%