March 31, 2008Westward ho … and beyondHave 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. James Bray is back from the bottom of the world 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. Continue reading "James Bray is back from the bottom of the world" » Christian Free Clinic names a new directorThe 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. Continue reading "Christian Free Clinic names a new director" » Tourism office moves to historic old jail next door to the Chamber of CommerceKevin 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. Continue reading "Tourism office moves to historic old jail next door to the Chamber of Commerce" » Botetourt Wineries open for season with a variety of activitiesKite 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. Continue reading "Botetourt Wineries open for season with a variety of activities" » March 28, 2008Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, March 29Come 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. Historical survey is now under wayBotetourt 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. March 27, 2008School board sends $49.3 million budget to supervisorsBotetourt 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. Continue reading "School board sends $49.3 million budget to supervisors" » Clothing closet, a Fincastle United Methodist outreach, serves all Botetourt County citizensFincastle 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. Fincastle Library Spring Book Fair is April 3, 4 and 5Need 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. Sheriff's Department will participate in Torch Run for Special OlympicsCome June 4, the Botetourt County Sheriff's Department will participate in Special Olympics annual Torch Run, but assistant head jailer James Booth is raising funds now. Booth is selling World's Finest Chocolate candy bars to fund the expenses of the Special Olympics Torch Run held annually to bring notice to the event and supported by law enforcement statewide. Booth, who began working for Botetourt County in January, is selling the candy bars in the front lobby of the new Botetourt Craig Public Safety Building with the help of longtime department employee receptionist and secretary Sarah Britt. Each candy bar is $1.25 and proceeds go to the Torch Run. Botetourt County's portion of the run goes from the Botetourt County line on U.S. 460 through into Bedford County to the Montvale Gasoline tanks. "Even Sheriff Sprinkle runs in the race," said Booth, who is building the team. The Botetourt portion of the race is 12 miles long, he also stated. Botetourt Sheriff's Department is part of Region 10 in the run and that also includes the police and sheriff's departments in Roanoke City and Roanoke County, he noted. Captain Chuck Hart of Roanoke County is the coordinator for Region 10. March 26, 2008Professor enlivens Glebe series with music by LisztKris Sanchak, assistant professor of music at Hollins University, entertained a group of thirty at The Glebe on Wednesday afternoon with stories of Franz Liszt and performed many pieces on a grand piano. On Wednesday, March 26, Kris Sanchak, Assistant Professor of Music, presented "Liszt: Keyboard Virtuoso, Visionary, Lady's Man and Priest," part of the Hollins University Lecture Series held at The Glebe, a retirement community in Daleville. Professor Sanchak, a doctoral candidate at Indiana University, described the colorful life of Franz Liszt, the Hungarian composer and virtuoso pianist. Included in the presentation were musical pieces including Sposalizio and the "Dante" Sonata from Bk. II of the years of Pilgrimage, La Chapelle du Guillaume Tell from Bk. 1 of the years of Pilgrimage, The Sonata in B Minor, "Invocation" from the Poetic and Religious Harmonies, "Nuages Gris" from Book. 3 of the Years of Pilgrimage. Sanchak also gleefully described the romantic life of the composer and his quest to reconcile religious belief with lifestyle. "Ultimately," he said, "Liszt gave up women for the priesthood." New stoplight at Hollins exit off I-81This isn't in Botetourt, but any Botetourt folks who cruise down I-81 and plan to get off at the Hollins exit onto Plantation Road would be affected by this: The new stoplights there are up and runnning. They're at the end of the exit ramp. This may not seem a big deal now, but likely will once the new Gander Mountain outdoor store opens up later this spring. Funds for Heaven Scent Paws dog for Blue Ridge woman given big boost
The Botetourt Town and Country Womens Club (BTCWC) voted Monday night to help Warman with her cause. The mother of two daughters -- Brianna, 6 and Alexis, 9 -- suffers from low blood sugar drops even though she is on an insulin pump. She no longer recognizes the drops as they come, so the help of a dog that senses the sugar drop through smell appealed to Warman after she read about a program in California concerning diabetic alert dogs. Continue reading "Funds for Heaven Scent Paws dog for Blue Ridge woman given big boost" » March 24, 2008Volleyball clinic a hit! Lord Botetourt High School coach Nicki Johnson said it was a good day. Certainly the turnout shows that volleyball is a sport of interest around the county. Girls learned how to set, spike and serve in the day long activitiy. Both high schools and middle schools have strong volleyball programs. Lord Botetourt will hold a volleyball camp on July 21-23 said Johnson and she invited the participants to keep that date in mind for another skill building opportunity.
Joshua Frate fundraiser scheduled for bluegrass bands/raffles/hotdogs, desserts Eagle Rock Baptist Church in Eagle Rock, Virginia will host the Benefit Concert for Joshua Frate. The concert will be held at the Lord Botetourt High School Auditorium on Saturday, April 5 from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Hot dogs, beverages, fresh popped popcorn and baked items will be sold to benefit Joshua. Two P. Buckley Moss prints and a gift basket will be raffled. Two bands will perform during the evening. Continue reading "Joshua Frate fundraiser scheduled for bluegrass bands/raffles/hotdogs, desserts" » Author delights Blue Ridge library patrons J.B. Stanley spoke to a crowd of thirty on Saturday at the Blue Ridge Library. The author of two series of mystery stories is about to embark upon a third. She writes in one series about Anitques and Collectibles and the other about a librarian named James Henry in a series called the Supper Club Mysteries.Yes, the stories feature some recipes that Stanley says are as good as they sound. To show the group of onlookers how she stages a plot for a mystery story, Stanley, a very entertaining speaker with a good sense of humor, used members of the audience to stage a plot and resolution. Every one loved it! The Blue Ridge Library served chili in honor of her latest title, "Chili con Corpses." Stanley's next series is based on a Bible study group set in Richmond so she is turning out one book about every six months. "I owe it all to Panera Bread," she said with a laugh. The restaurant is near her Richmond home and is where she sits and writes most of her stories. For more information about her, go to www.jbstanley.com. Spy World opens at Attic Productions April 10 Attic Productions, Botetourt’s Community Theater is proud to present the annual Youth Presentation — "SPY WORLD." Continue reading "Spy World opens at Attic Productions April 10" » March 21, 2008Got news (or a photo) to share?Do you have news about something in Botetourt County? A neighborhood event, a school achievement, or other recognition? Share it with us, and your neighbors. Send your community news to: news@botetourtview.com And if you have a photo, send that on, too. We look forward to hearing from you. Enter our photo contest!Got a favorite photo from Botetourt County? A school carnival, a bingo night, a hiking spot? Enter it in our photo contest and maybe win a prize! Email it to photocontest@roanoke.com by Friday, March 28 and you could win a $250 gift card to Best Buy. We'll select two lucky winners -- one adult and one youth. We'll announce the winners on April 25. Umm, some other rules: You must include the photographer's name, address, phone number, email, when and where the photo was taken, plus the story behind the photo in 100 words or less. They must be 200 dpi resolution with the largest dimension measuring at least 10 inches. All photos must have been taken within the last year and must be local. Submitted photos become the property of The Roanoke Times. By entering, you grant the paper and its affiliates the right to publish your photo in any way. RAYSAC sponsors town hall meeting on teen drinking preventionRoanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Council (RAYSAC) holds the third annual meeting on Teen Drinking and substance abuse at Greenfield Education Center on April 3 at 6:30 p.m. Teen drinking and substance abuse are big issues with those who read the statistics. In Botetourt County the awareness of underage drinking has been around for several years and has become an issue for parents, schools and law enforcement to handle. Last year on the middle school level, alcohol surfaced on a school bus. Parents are encouraged to attend. The Event is sponsored by RAYSAC, Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, Drug-Free Roanoke, Roanoke County Prevention Council, The Virginia ABC Board and Botetourt County. For more information contact Kathy Sullivan, RAYSAC coordinator, at 982-1472. March 20, 2008Dynex-sponsored Japanese exchange students end weekEvery year Dynex, an international company headquartered in Japan and with a North American headquarters in Botetourt County, sponsors high school exchange students. Two Japanese students spent the week visiting Lord Botetourt and seeing the sights around the area. They are Aiko Okamoto and Asako Kataoka. Last fall teacher Elizabeth Bolton as chaperone accompanied LB student Emily Adams on the first leg of the exchange by traveling to Japan. The two girls from Japan arrived last Sunday March 16 and will leave on Saturday. Some of the places they visited included Dynex, Roanoke Catholic School, Hotel Roanoke for lunch, Natural Bridge and the caverns, and they will have a farewell dinner on Friday. Japanese chaperone Bertram Jordan said the principle difference is Japanese students are very serious about schoolwork, forgoing social activities for studies. American students are not like that, Bolton noted. Japanese students must compete for university spaces. Trey McMillan as "Cinnamon" crowned Miss Cavalier 2008 Good sports all, five senior boys dressed in girlish finery and strutted their stuff on Thursday at the Lady Cavalier pageant to help the SCA raise funds to pay for the annual Homecoming Court festivities. History teacher Lynne Bolton, who is the SCA sponsor, acted as Mistress of Ceremonies. The five beauties were Blonde Madonna (Andrew Ruesch), Essence Gray (Zack Gray), Cinnamon Spice (Trey McMillan), Destiny Reed (Josh Reed), and Obsession Stanek (Eric Stanek). The crowd cheered for their favorite and after her talented dance, there was no doubt the winner would be Cinammon. The three finalists were Obsession, Essence and Cinnamon. The gym was packed with laughing students and the event was the perfect end of the school week as the students leave for spring break today for the next week. Pictured: The three finalists in the Miss Cavalier Pageant, Miss Cavalier: Cinnamon, Trey McMillan, first runner-up Obsession, Eric Stanek and second runner up Essence, Zack Gray. ACLU wants Botetourt to change sign policy, threatens lawsuitThe American Civil Liberties Union has sent a letter to the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors urging repeal of the county's ordinance dealing with political signs. The group threatens a lawsuit if the ordinance isn't changed. Here's the complete text of the press release the ACLU sent out, and the letter: ACLU Seeks Repeal of Botetourt County Ordinance Placing Time Limits on Campaign Signs Botetourt County, VA - March 20, 2008 - The ACLU of Virginia today urged Botetourt County government officials to immediately suspend -- then repeal -- an ordinance that prohibits residents from having campaign signs in their yards more than 60 days in advance of an election or more than 15 days afterwards. The ACLU is prepared to go to court to have the ordinance declared unconstitutional. Continue reading "ACLU wants Botetourt to change sign policy, threatens lawsuit" » Botetourt folks celebrate St. Patrick's DaySome Botetourt County folks got their smiling photos taken by our Paparazzi photo crew at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Roanoke over the weekend. Which ones, you wonder? Well, read on. Or, more accurately, click on. You'll find Dan Baker wearing a funny hat and dancing a little jig. There's the Branch family -- Shelly, Chylynn, Kelcey and Triston Branch. And finally there's Madison Vanduyne, performing her official duties as a pageant queen. And remember, if you have photos to share -- doesn't have to be from St. Patrick's Day -- just any event where Botetourt folks are at -- send 'em on to us at news@botetourtview.com March 18, 2008Buchanan Rotary starts new branch in FincastleBuchanan Rotary has branched out with a site in Fincastle that will be meeting on Wednesday mornings. The Rotary group will meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays in April at 7:15 a.m. at Cafe Latte on Church Street. For more information call Joe Obenschain at 966-5433 Young Life sponsors the Botetourt Trot on April 5Young Life sponsors 1st annual Botetourt Trot a 5K event on April 5 at Greenfield Recrational Park at the Lord Botetourt Cross Country field. 1st Annual Botetourt Trot 3 ways to participate: Run for fun - Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate. The best three times in the women's division and the best three times in the men's division will receive prizes! Run to raise money for your camp trip - If you are going to camp this summer, you can use the Botetourt Trot as a way to raise your camp fee. Obtain sponsors for your participation in the race, and everything you raise will go to your camp trip! Run to help the local ministry - Help support the local Young Life ministry by obtaining sponsorship for your participation in the Botetourt Trot. The top 5 money earners will receive prizes. Continue reading "Young Life sponsors the Botetourt Trot on April 5 " » Troutville resident promotes good things in townLee Minnix of Troutville motivates others to serve and has found Troutville a place where many hands want to help. The town has organized many events for spring. Lee Minnix helps organize the National Day of Prayer ceremonies held every first Thursday in May at various church locations in Botetourt and the Kroger in Daleville parking lot and churches in east Roanoke County along the Alternate U.S. 220 and U.S. 460 corridors. To be involved with the National Day of Prayer countywide, an informational meeting is being held on March 31 at 7 p.m. at St. Mark's United Methodist Church across from Botetourt Commons. Minnix said call if you need more information about the event, which will be held nationally on May 1. Minnix and other committee members such as Jean Riley, the Rev. Bob Hutchins of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, who is the leader, Judy Deel, Tricia Kidd, Donna Cudworth and Laura Correll work tirelessly to get the event organized. It is held at noontime each year. Continue reading "Troutville resident promotes good things in town" » RMMS National Junior Honor Society sends kits for Iraqi schools Read Mountain Middle School and Central Academy Middle School both have National Junior Honor Society chapters. At Read Mountain more than 100 students are in the NJHS, each with at least a 3.4 grade point average. The organization has focused on a service project that will benefit students halfway around the world in Iraq. The entire school participated. The class with the most donations received a pizza party said Lisa Moyer, who, along with guidance counselor Carol Brenner sponsored the event. Service projects are important to the chapter, to exhibit citizenship through volunteerism. Continue reading "RMMS National Junior Honor Society sends kits for Iraqi schools" » March 17, 2008Sheriff's Department warns of spring scamsSharon Coleman, crime prevention specialist for Botetourt County Sheriff's Department, warned a gathering at Fincastle United Methodist Church last week that the spring scam season is moving toward Botetourt County. Every spring, Coleman said, the driveway sealing and asphalting scheme makes it way across Southwest Virginia. "Typically they use dilute tar and sealant and charge higher prices than first Anyone who sells door to door in Botetourt County must have a permit they have obtained through the Sheriff's Department and have to display the badge as they traverse the county. "If someone does not have a permit to show you," Coleman said, "call the Sheriff's Department at 473-8230 or 911 if you feel unsafe." Botetourt Genealogy seeks helpers in cemetery documentationBotetourt Geneaology Club is looking for people to help document area cemeteries. Cemetery Photography & Documentation Project seeks volunteers to help with cemetery documentation & photography. The Botetourt Genealogy Club's summer project is to document as many grave markers as possible in Botetourt County. As they receive the photos, the pictures will be added to their website, so they will be free to all researchers interested in finding a grave. Cemeteries completed are: Andrews Chapel, Amsterdam, Greenfield, Indian Rock, Jackson Baptist Church, Pollard, Solitude, Spangler, Troutville. You may send your photos on a CD to: Easter Egg hunting on a cool March day Because Easter is so early this year, children armed with Easter baskets and plastic grocery bags arrived in full winter regalia as they waited somewhat patiently for the fun to begin. At Greenfield Soccer fields (the other two fields were James River and Blue Ridge Park) members of the Rec department staff and county employees filled the eggs and lined the fields with choice eggs. Bug eggs, animal print eggs and golden eggs held the chance for a special prize as well. Handmade chocolate fudge eggs and other assorted chocolate goodies headed up the special prize list. Four-year-olds Bailey Daniels (pictured at left) of Fincastle with her pink old-fashioned basket, Cole Mattox of Troutville with his sturdy basket, Troutville three-year-olds Joey Schroeder carried his serpent basket and Tyler Durig brought his bunny basket and they led the charge for the preschool aged kids as they scampered around the field picking up eggs.They'll have plenty of practice for Easter Sunday after the event on Saturday. Battle of The Bands at James River
The crowd was enthusiastic and the music loud. Four death metal, heavy metal, hard core and hard rock bands jammed through two hours of mostly original material as Currents, the lit mag for JRHS, sponsored their third annual battle of the bands. The bands were made up of James River and Lord Botetourt High School students and graduates and a few kids from the Roanoke Valley. Hair flew as the bands ground out sound and head banged to the beat. March 14, 2008Nominate a Super Teacher by April 11Lord Botetourt PTSA suggests nominating a teacher for the the Virginia Lottery Super Teacher award. At the LB PTSA meeting on March 14, they discussed a flyer for "Nominate a Super Teacher for the Virginia Lottery “Super Teacher” Award. Here’s the skinny: To nominate a teacher online visit www.valottery.com or www.vapopquiz.com and follow the instructions. All nominations must be received or postmarked by April 11, 2008 All Virginia public school teachers are eligible Eight winners from around the state could receive $2,000 in cash and $2,000 credit at The Supply Room Companies; three second chances will win $500. Middle school soccer scoresMiddle school soccer teams report the second game of the season. Girls: Read Mountain Middle School - 1 Boys: Read Mountain- 7 Blue Bird Boxes need volunteers
"Blue birds were almost extinct during the '70s," said Evans. All over the state trail leaders and monitors are gearing up for the blue bird nesting season, according to the Virginia Blue Bird Society Web site. Volunteers are needed to check the boxes on the Cherry Blossom Trail at Greenfield Park along the walking paths. Eight year |
Candice Warman has had Type 1 diabetes since she was 12. Now she seeks the help of a low blood sugar detecting canine partner from a nonprofit organization called Heaven Scent Paws.