Area Showcased on WSLS 10’s “Daytime Blue Ridge”

Martinsville-Henry County will receive some regional publicity this week as a variety of area businesses and attractions will be featured on WSLS Channel 10’s “Daytime Blue Ridge.” The entertainment/lifestyle TV show which airs daily between noon and 1 p.m. will feature a segment on September 3rd called “In A Day’s Drive” that highlights day trip opportunities throughout the state of Virginia.

The five minute video was organized and funded by the Martinsville-Henry County EDC’s Tourism Division and produced by WSLS. According to Jennifer Doss, Director of Tourism for Martinsville-Henry County, “We enjoy hosting Natalie Faunce and her cameraman Ryan Anderson each year because they do a superb job of showcasing the wonderful amenities and attractions that our community has to offer. The high definition videography and professional editing makes the videos an excellent promotional tool for the community.”

For the video, host Natalie Faunce began her day trip with a visit to the state-certified Martinsville-Henry County Visitor Center at 191 Fayette Street in Martinsville. There, Visitor Services Coordinator, Heather Hoffman, aided Faunce by providing information on a variety of things to see and do in the area. 

Faunce then visited the Smithsonian-affiliated Virginia Museum of Natural History where she explored the new exhibit “Living on the Water” as well as the facility’s permanent collections. After working up an appetite at the museum, she dined at Binding Time Café and explored the café and bookstore, which frequently hosts book signings and an annual book festival. After lunch, Faunce met Tracy Cox of Dippers Ice Cream who introduced her to the world of gourmet, handmade, ice cream. Faunce tried a variety of flavors including the business’s award-winning Peanut Butter Bang Sundae and their top selling Southern Pecan Pie ice cream.

For some afternoon activity, she set off to meet Randy Carter of Angler’s Choice Marine at the new Philpott Marina in Bassett. Carter took Faunce on a relaxing pontoon ride around Philpott Lake then sat down to speak with her about life at Philpott Lake and the impressive new marina, operated by Henry County Parks & Recreation.

To round out her day, Faunce visited Hamlet Vineyards in Bassett, where she met owner Virginia Hamlet and enjoyed a wine tasting with new friends on the vineyard’s Tasting Terrace. The vineyard has been in operation for the past three years and opened up their new Tasting Terrace this season that is for wine tastings by appointment and for special events.

This was Faunce’s third visit to the area to film an “In a Day’s Drive” segment. According to Faunce, “I always love visiting Martinsville-Henry County for our “In a Day’s Drive” series for Daytime.  We travel to many places for this series, but each time I come to this region, I discover something new. Whether it’s biking on the Dick and Willie bike trail, or paddling into some of the hidden, scenic corners of Philpott Lake, I always enjoy my time in this beautiful part of our region.  I am so lucky to have a job that offers these opportunities, and gives me a “sneak-peek” into some of the activities I’d like to do when I return with my family.”