With eyes focused ahead, the Ferrum Forward Committee met for their October meeting last Tuesday in the Blue Ridge Institute and Museum.

The lobby, lit with lights, invited members and guests into the building to a table of sweet treats placed parallel to the rows of awaiting seats. 

Kicking off the meeting at promptly 5:3o p.m., Chair Burton White welcomed an audience of the six-person steering committee and the attending members. 

White’s greeting, however, proved to be just an introduction to the agenda ahead. 

Friends of Ferrum Park Chair Rebecca Saunders began the meeting with an announcement from Friends of Ferrum Park, a group with close connections to the FF committee. She was eager to share her good news. 

“As of tomorrow, at 11:00 a.m., we officially own the property of Friends of Ferrum Park!” she exclaimed.

The reaction of the audience seemed pure joy, with applause and smiles dispersed across the room. 

Anticipation only built throughout her presentation that followed, which showcased the many highlights of the 84-acre park. 

As the evening passed, talk of recreation soon turned into business. 

FF member Katrina Harrison continued the meeting by reading the treasurer’s report, which was approved unanimously, alongside the September minutes. 

It was then time for the FF-focused announcements to take the floor. 

Vice Chair Bob Pohlad mentioned the region’s most well-known event–the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival on Oct. 26–with opportunities to both experience Appalachia and volunteer. He also encouraged the members to attend the ongoing Glory Days at the Phoebe Needles Center on Sun., Oct. 20.

“There’s great food!” Pohlad suggested with a humorous tone.

Food was a word that seemed to spark the interest of most of the college-generation attendees in the room. 

The discussion of community events flowed seamlessly into the notes of College and Communications Chair Tina Hanlon.

“I’m in charge of the committee of college and community relations, as most of you know,” began Hanlon. 

She went on to detail The Blue Ridge Folklife Festival, Ferrum College’s Homecoming, the upcoming performance of Twelfth Night–As You Will, and the Renaissance Fair as upcoming events intertwined between the Village and college.

Harrison followed, describing her next mission to beautify the Village: fall and Halloween decorations for all to see.

Typically, a report of the government relations of the group would soon follow. However, government relations chair Ed Sunders was unable to attend the meeting. 

Hence, moving forward, as the FF committee does, old business was next up in the line of discussion. 

FF secretary Susan Selvage immediately spoke of Fish-Fry Friday’s, a fan favorite within the community. 

With the recent devastation that Hurricane Helene brought, the community response team, last discussed in the spring, was also brought to light. 

The committee plans to address the subject in detail at the next meeting. 

With no further business, the group adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

The FF Committee will meet next on Nov. 12. White encourages all to attend.

“Our group is open to anyone and everyone,” White enlisted. “We aren’t exclusive, and there is no member we don’t appreciate.”