Have you ever wanted to leave familiar places behind and venture into the unknown?

“Summer on Wheels,” author Peggy Wade’s most recent book, invites you to join her family as they travel on numerous summer excursions throughout the U.S. and beyond in a pop-up camper resembling a Conestoga wagon. Peggy Wade will appear at the Blue Ridge Library on Saturday, April 19, from 11:00-11:30 to talk about her family’s experiences. Her recently published book will be available for purchase and signing. Share the fun and excitement of living in a travel vehicle.

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“Antarctica exposed herself to us — Robert Swan, the leader of 2041, told us our expedition saw more wildlife, more extremes in weather, and more effects of humanity on Antarctica than any other he has led,” said James Bray in an interview after his return last week. He spoke from his living room in his Ashley Plantation home in Daleville. His wife Kimberely sat nearby listening intently to her husband’s experiences while their daughters played happily with the neighbor’s children.

Bray lived almost two weeks using sustainable energy with 2041’s Leadership on the Edge.

He had a video and pictures to prove it. In the known history of Antarctica only about 150,000 people have ever been there, Bray said, and the video of Robert Swan confirmed it as he spoke with the 73 team members of “Leadership on the Edge” during the expedition.

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The Christian Free Clinic in Botetourt has named Jenny Daniels its new executive director.

The announcement that was made by the Free Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Bob Allen, at an appreciation dinner February 23 for volunteers, sponsors and other donors and contributors at the facility, which celebrated its first year of operation in January.

Approximately 100 people attended the event, held at the Fincastle Baptist Church, which is also the location of the clinic.

The clinic was started at the urging of local physician, Susanne Voekler. Dr. Voekler, in internal medicine specialist with Lewis-Gale, had volunteered with several other free clinics while as a medical student in Washington, D.C., and as an intern and resident in California, as well as in the Roanoke area. She serves as Clinical Director at the Botetourt Clinic.

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Kevin Costello was in move mode this morning. He is the director of tourism for Botetourt County and the office is moving to the historic old jail located on Main Street in Fincastle.

Costello, who has been handling the tourism business of Botetourt out of his office on Back Street, will relocate to the new site vacated when the Magistrate’s office moved to the Botetourt -Craig Public Safety building in January. Opening day is April 1 at the new site.

“My father always said I would end up in jail,” said Costello with a laugh.

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Kite fliers entertained about 50 people Saturday with expert flying at Virginia Mountain Winery, one of three wineries on the Botetourt Wine Trail.

Kite flying, music and wine tasting abound this spring at the three Botetourt wineries. David and Marie Gibbs brought in two kite fliers from the Shenandoah Valley and New River Valley to exhibit the flying of large decorative kites at Virginia Mountain Vineyards.

Virginia Mountain Vineyards is located on 4204 Old Fincastle Road just north of Fincastle. “Just follow the signs,” laughed Gibbs.

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Come and get pancakes and sausage Saturday as the Botetourt Kiwanis dish up breakfast at Lord Botetourt from 8 to 10 a.m. Tickets from any Kiwanis member are $5 per person and $6 at the gate.

Botetourt County Historical Society’s architectural survey is now under way in conjunction with Hill Studio. They are looking at approximately 350 historical properties and other resources.

The funding for the historic survey came through matching grants from Botetourt County as well as Virginia Department of Historic Resources and additional funds from the BCHS. The towns of Buchanan and Fincastle will not be included in the survey as they have recently had surveys performed.

If you have photographs or know of an historic site or property please call Alison Blanton, project manager for Hill Studio, at 342-5263 or Weldon Martin at the Botetourt County Historical Society, 473-8394.

Botetourt County School Board sent a $49.3 million school budget for 2008-09 to the Board of Supervisors on Thursday night, March 28, after the budget public hearing. The total ask for new local monies is $206,351, only a 0.97 percent increase over the current year’s budget.

The public once again this year did not show up for the public hearing, but as Ruth Wallace, school board chairman stated, “It’s a no frills budget, but it will do the job.”

The school board approved the budget as presented by administration. John Busher and Brenda Bartee were praised for their hard work on the budget as well during the medical absence of Dr. Tony Brads.

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Fincastle United Methodist Church has handled a clothing closet at the Family Life Center and thanks to the generosity of Andre and Joyce Hilliou of Fincastle, they now have a Main Street location across from the courthouse.

For more than five years the clothing closet has been located in the Family Life Center and carted out of a closet every month during the SHARE program, a low cost grocery program held at the church. During the weekdays the church secretary had been allowing those in need to peruse the clothing supply.

The Family Life Center will remain the sorting spot for donations. Rhonda Campbell, who heads the program for the church, has a committee of volunteers to help man the hours at the new site.

Tuesdays and Saturdays coincide with Christian Free Clinic hours at Fincastle Baptist Church on Tuesdays and the Botetourt Food Pantry at St. Mark’s Episcopal and SHARE on Saturdays.The outreach provides clothing for children and adults at no charge. Gently worn clothing, particularly women’s plus sizes and larger size men’s clothing, are currently a source of need and donations will be appreciated.

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Need a new book or books to read on vacation, by the pool or on the front porch? The Friends of the Fincastle Library invites you to attend the annual book sale April 3-5.

Proceeds from the book sale go to fund the children’s reading programs at the Buchanan and Fincastle branch libraries. The book sale will take place during regular library hours, said Rena Worthen, a member of the library staff and a friend as well.

“We have books in a wide variety from out of print to best sellers! Please, we need volunteers and are always looking for friends at all of the library branches,” she continued.

For more information on being a book sale volunteer call the Fincastle Library circulation desk at 473-8339.