The Shadow
Dusk was settling in around the Masonic Amphitheatre across Church St. from the Clifton Forge School of the Arts following the end of Kriskindlmarkt as Wendy Hudler stepped to the microphone.
Hudler, former co-owner of Jack Mason’s Tavern and a board member of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, was given the honor of leading the dedication ceremony for the LOVEworks Sculpture that was constructed by Williams Fabrication, Inc. DBA as JenFab, Inc. in Covington.
Tony Williams, the owner of Williams Fabrication Inc., stood in the audience and was recognized during the ceremony for his company’s contribution to the 18-month-long project that features the ornate LOVEworks Sculpture equipped with multi-colored lights and a pixelated code known as a Quick Response code that is shaped in a square.
Those who have smartphones may access the Quick Response code (QR), and it will direct them to informative articles about Clifton Forge, videos and audio recordings about the area.
Also, by accessing the QR codes provided as part of the LOVEworks Sculpture, visitors may access information about the area’s history, view maps that provide directions to points of interest such as lodging, shops and restaurants, in addition to learning the locations where various services are provided.
Both Clifton Forge Town Manager Charles “Chuck” Unroe and Mayor Jeff Irvine took turns praising the hard work of the members of the LOVEworks Sculpture Committee for completing the project in 18 months to provide the Town of Clifton Forge with its own permanent “LOVE SIGN.”
Mac Beard was called on to preside over the unveiling of the LOVEworks Sculpture after night had replaced twilight and Gayle Hillert, Martha Atherholt, Mott Atherholt, Bill Atherholt (who was unable to attend) and Janie Barnett had been recognized by Martha Edwards, chairwoman of the LOVEworks Sculpture Committee, for their contributions to the project.
Following the removal of the tarps, the electricity to the LOVEworks Sculpture was switched on.
Suddenly, rotating colors of red, white, blue, green, pink, purple and gold lit the LOVEwork Sculpture’s letters, drawing resounding “oohs” and “awes” from the large gathering on the hill adjacent to the bridge across Smith Creek.
Smith Creek flows south between the Clifton Forge Public Library which is situated on its east side and the LOVEworks Sculpture which has been erected on its west side till it empties into the Jackson River that flows through the Town of Clifton Forge.
There are more than 300 LOVEworks sculptures located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the LOVEworks program was established to promote travel in Virginia and to strengthen the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan.
The slogan was adopted in 1969 by the Virginia Travel Service, now known as the Virginia Tourism Corporation which launched the LOVEworks program in 2013.
Informational flyers were made available to those in attendance, informing potential donors about the way to support the LOVEworks Sculpture by mailing checks made payable to the Town of Clifton Forge and designating on the memo line, “LOVE SIGN.”
Instructions on the flyers include the mailing address for donations: P.O. Box 631, Clifton Forge 24422.
The flyers provide a way to donate online as well: https://cfloveworks.com/#donate.
