Norton-Wise Branch

Winners of the annual writing contest held this fall for students of Wise County, Norton City and Wise County Christian schoolswere: Kindergarten: First Place--Anna Jo Robinson, Wise County Christian; First and Second: First Place--Kiarra Gibson, Coeburn Primary; Second Place--William Robinson, Wise County Christian; Third Place--Sarah Mullins, J.W. Adams Combined; Third, Fourth and Fifth: First Place--Ron Yu, Norton Elementary; Second Place--Megan Arwood, Wise Primary; Third Place--Kalla Stallard, J.W. Adams Combined; Sixth, Seventh and Eighth: First Place--Isaiah Wallace, Norton Elementary; Second Place--Austin Hicks, Coeburn Middle; Third Place--Chasity Teasley, L.F. Addington, and Miracle Sturgill, Norton Elementary; Ninth and Tenth: First Place--Sarah Beauchamp, J.I. Burton; Second Place--Alyssa Fultz, J.I. Burton; Third Place--Lisa Triplett, Coeburn High; Eleventh and Twelfth: First Place--Hannah Bolling, Pound High; Second Place-- Kahakea Theard, J.I. Burton; Third Place--Haley Cantrell, Pound High School.

The Norton/Wise County Branch meets on the fourth Monday of each month from September – May. Members meet for dinner and a program.

In May, the final meeting of the year, we traditionally enjoy a brunch at the historic John Fox Museum in Big Stone Gap. Members bring prospective members as their guests.

Children’s Book Project:
In recent years, our branch developed an on-going project to provide children’s books for at risk and disadvantaged households. The project has been very successful.   It is hoped that the effort will contribute to children’s literacy. Last year’s book fund project provided books and other educational materials a recently established children’s advocacy center. Funds for the project are raised from contributions from individual branch members and from a grant a local foundation.

Fundraising:
Fundraising efforts primarily support our Children’s Book Fund. Our Branch is currently investigating the possibility of involving a corporate sponsor for a fundraising project for the Book Fund.

Creative Writing:
During our April meeting, the awards ceremony for our Annual Spring Creative Writing Contest for local schools is held. The contest usually brings in 75-80 entries. At the awards program, the winners from each grade read their writings to an audience comprised of parents, teachers, area school officials, and our AAUW members. Metals and ribbons are awarded and light refreshments are served.

During the autumn of 1998, the Norton-Wise Branch helped the Lonesome Pine Regional Library celebrate its 40th year. The library was founded through the efforts of the then-fledgling AAUW branch.

In 1957, the Virginia State Library approached Helen Lewis, who taught sociology and acted as librarian at Clinch Valley College, about library services for Wise County. The state library offered to do a two-year demonstration project for which they would provide operating expenses while the county would have to provide the housing, shelving, and utilities.

As an AAUW member, Ms. Lewis suggested the library as a project for the new branch. The AAUW members went into action and the library opened in November 1958. When the demonstration project neared its end, the members again worked to gain county support for continuing the library. AAUW member Frances Robertson was the first chair of the Lonesome Pine Regional Library's Board of Trustees.

The Lonesome Pine Regional Library System now serves four counties and one city with eight branches and circulates over 800,000 items each year.