Though there are a number of things the Netherlands and Buchanan County do not share in common, bluegrass isn't one of them.
  According to Dutch man Hans Wolters, 40, who made his long journey into Paw Paw in late September, bluegrass is just as popular in the Netherlands as it is here. Festivals are even held in honor of the music, which Wolters says has greatly impacted his life.
  As a boy, Wolters' remembers the sounds of acoustic strings drifting through his childhood home. His parents enjoyed bluegrass and played their records frequently, he says.
  At 11 years old, he decided to join his brother Ed in playing the guitar. But it was around a year later that he found his true passion in the banjo, adopting J.D. Crowe as his all-time favorite banjo picker.
  Throughout the years, Wolters attended many festivals and events dedicated to bluegrass. And in 1983 at a festival in Diever, Netherlands, he met Tennessee native Tommy Howell.
  Little did Wolters know, this meeting soon developed into a friendship that would bring him to the United States to join Howell at bluegrass festivals in Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia. It was 1989 when Wolters began making these special trips, but it was on SoulSeek – a free online file-sharing application – that he met Hurley native J.D. Stiltner, a fellow bluegrass fanatic and fan of "King of the Flat-Picking Guitarists" Don Reno.
  According to Stiltner, he had been looking for a song on SoulSeek and Wolters just so happened to have it. After sharing some music files, they started conversing through e-mail and discovered they shared many similarities.
  "I found out some of his favorite pickers were my favorite pickers, so we really got along," Stiltner says.

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by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
   Veterans of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion hosted several special ceremonies Friday, all to mark the celebration and remembrance of Veterans Day.
   Brady Bostic addressed those gathered for a brief ceremony at the Grundy Plaza which included the placement of a wreath at the base of the American flag by Commander Joe Coleman, a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
  Bostic told those gathered for the ceremony that without the sacrifice of veterans, this country would not enjoy the freedoms and the peace it enjoys today.
  "The real heroes are the ones who didn't come home, who gave their lives to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today," Bostic said.
  He noted Friday's special gatherings, as well as those planned for Saturday, were in honor of and in memory of those who have served in the military and those who continue to serve today.
  He explained the meaning of the black POW flag and how it stands alone to remember those who are listed as missing in action or as prisoners of war.
  "It will stand alone until each and every name is accounted for," Bostic said.
  The ceremony ended with the placement of the wreath, the 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.
  In addition to the event at the plaza, Bostic noted similar ceremonies were conducted at Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock and at Garden Creek.

by Cathy St. Clair
News Editor
  A resolution supporting plans to establish a segment of the Coal Heritage Trail in Buchanan County was adopted last Thursday by the Buchanan County Chamber of Commerce.
  Chamber Director Mary Belcher noted she had met recently with Randy Rose, of the Virginia Tourism Corp., to learn more about the project. The Buchanan County Tourism Committee and the Heart of Appalachia Tourism Authority are currently actively working to establish the route through Buchanan, Tazewell and surrounding counties. At present, the trail ends at the state line in Bluefield.
  Lyle Mutter made a motion and Jodi Reynolds made a second for the chamber to lend its support to the project. It was agreed to unanimously.
  In other business, chamber members accepted the resignation of Jeremy Davis from the board of directors and named Nancy Pruitt as his replacement.
  Belcher announced that chamber membership decals are being designed and will be ordered in the near future.
  Belcher noted that plans are being finalized for this year's annual banquet set for Thursday, December 7 at Riverview Elementary-Middle School. The festivities will get underway at 6:30 p.m. and will feature announcement of the 2006 Hall of Fame inductee, as well as the awarding of a Citizen Volunteer of the Year and Chamber Volunteer of the Year award. Dr. Carl Hurley will be the featured entertainment.
  In other business, chamber members agreed to reschedule the Holiday Kick-Off Parade from November 18 to Saturday, December 9 at 11 a.m.
  Reynolds reminded those present of the Woman's Club Holiday in the Hills event planned for November 18 from 9 a.m. to 6  p.m. and November 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Appalachian School of Law.
  She noted artisans and craftspeople may display their wares for a $10 reservation fee.
  She encouraged chamber members to attend and said the new project is modeled after Washington County's Mistletoe Market event which continues to grow in that community.
  Reynolds also reminded chamber member of the Grundy Woman's Club annual scholarship auction, noting it is planned for December 12 from 4 to 6 p.m.
  Lastly, Belcher reminded chamber members of several upcoming events including the Southwest Virginia Legislative Breakfast today (Thursday)at 8:30 a.m. in Abingdon; the holiday parade on December 9; the Holiday in the Hills Market, November 18 and 19; the annual Holiday Business After Hours event, November 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Mountain Mission School; the Entrepreneur Express event planned December 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Food City Banquet room; the December 7 annual banquet; the December 12 Grundy Woman's Club annual scholarship auction; the Richmond legislative reception, January 17, 2007 at the Richmond Omni hosted jointly by Buchanan, Dickenson, Scott. Lee and Wise counties; and the next chamber board meeting, Friday, January 26 at 11:30 a.m.  at Food City.