Pulling Together

Image: by Leslie Shelor, Gateway sign on Highway 58 near Meadows of Dan, Virginia

Like family farms, many small communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains are struggling for survival in a fast-paced, changing world. Businesses once supported by the farming communities are turning to less traditional means of making a living. Taking advantage of the beautiful scenery and the Blue Ridge Parkway, many small communities have turned to tourism to supplement the shrinking resources of the local residents.

Meadows of Dan is one such community. The easy access to the Blue Ridge Parkway from Highway 58 as well as the fact that Mabry's Mill is located only one mile north on the Parkway have made Meadows of Dan a tourist destination since the 1960s. Local business owners have taken advantage of the situation, creating unique shopping experiences for tourists and providing jobs for the residents. The State of Virginia is recognizing that Southwestern Virginia has a great deal to offer the traveler, with beautiful scenery, wonderful music and quality traditional crafts. The Crooked Road winds through Southwestern Virginia, and the first kiosk visitor's center for the Crooked Road is being placed in Meadows of Dan.

Plans to modify Highway 58 in Virginia to a four-lane, from beginning to end, have caused concern in the Meadows of Dan business community for some time. Recently a four-lane section that bypasses Meadows of Dan was completed, curving away from the little town and sending travelers cruising past through empty fields. The Meadows of Dan Merchants Association, a small group of local business owners and other interested parties, was formed to address the issues raised by the by-pass.

Spearheaded by Nancy Galli, the owner of Nancy's Fudge, and Felecia Shelor, the owner of Poor Farmer's Market, this group united the community in the common goal of raising money to erect two gateway signs on the new portion of Highway 58 to direct travelers into Meadows of Dan. The entire community joined in the effort of putting together a folk fair last August, which was a great success and raised a substantial portion of the funds, thanks to generous donations by area residents of prizes for a raffle. Rhett Stidham of Meadows Edge led an effort to raise the rest of the needed money, and the signs were put in place on March 1, 2006, after less than a year's work by the community. Many local people donated time, merchandise and money for the effort.

The Gateway signs for Meadows of Dan are more than a means of identifying a charming little community with much to offer the traveler and tourist. They are a symbol of what a small group of people can accomplish, pulling together in a united effort.

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