Pickin’ And Jammin’ At Riverview Musicians perform at Riverview Community Center during Pickin’ and Jammin’. Photos by Susan McDonald Folks enjoy dancing at Riverview Community Center on Friday nights. By Susan McDonald Under the shadow of Three Top Mountain, on the banks of the New River, lies Riverview Community Center. The Center is the home of Pickin’ and Jammin’, held on Friday nights beginning around 6:30 p.m. According to Reggie Keys, a member of the Community Center Board and the Lions Club, Riverview is “a place to meet, a place to be around your friends.” Sure enough, there were folks sitting around chatting and playing cards, eating snacks, and generally making themselves at home. “We’ve got plenty of room here,” explained Keys. The banner posted above the stage even calls Riverview “Your Home Away From Home” and the people there seemed to take it seriously. Riverview Community Center is located in beautiful Creston, N.C. along Highway 88, 10 miles west of Warrensville. Pickin’ and Jammin’ has been entertaining Creston for five or six years with traditional old time and bluegrass music, and anyone who shows up that can sing or play is welcome to participate. Robert Oliver, Sherry and Joe Welch, Brenda and Danny Taylor, and Larry Smith took the stage recently on Friday, March 25th. They played several tunes including “Ground Hog” and the “Possum Song” for the folks at Riverview. Robert Oliver took the microphone without too much prodding, and played guitar as well. He is a veteran of World War II, local to nearby Tennessee and Ashe County, and enjoys being at Riverview. The people inside Riverview listened to the mandolins, guitars, banjo, and standing bass fiddle. Outside, young adults made plans to play basketball in the gym located at the center. They meet friends there also. Riverview has something for all ages, including planned events throughout the year. One of the most popular events is the Duck Race, held on the 3rd Saturday in August, which is a fund raiser for the Lions Club. Keys reports that 1,200 rubber ducks are let loose on the New River and purchased by kids of every age, including grown ups who still delight in participating in the race. The first prize is $1,500 for the race winner, and there are five drawings for $100 each. Keys said there are vendors present, rides for the little ones, (admission for the rides are donations) and “music of course.” There is also a barbeque held on the Saturday before Father’s Day on June 17th. For information on a number of events, please call 336-385-9812, be sure to leave a message and the call will be returned. The radio station WKSK AM is also a good source of information on events. Refreshments are served at Pickin’ and Jammin’. Donations are accepted to cover expenses, but not required. Watch for the Riverview Community Center, formally Riverview School, in the big bend on Highway 88 heading towards Trade, Tenn. There is plenty of parking around back by the river, plenty of room inside to get up and dance and don’t forget your instrument.