July 31, 2008Celebrate "Evening in Buchanan" on August 15"Come one and come all to the annual Evening in Buchanan," said Harry Gleason, town revitalization manager of Buchanan, when announcing the event that showcases Buchanan's downtown and is just plain old fun!  Continue reading "Celebrate "Evening in Buchanan" on August 15" » Outlaws 10U girls basketball team finishes 21st in U.S. From Coach Don Helms of the Cloverdale area: The Botetourt Outlaws 10U girls basketball team has returned from the At the National Championship, the Outlaws advanced to the Championship Continue reading "Outlaws 10U girls basketball team finishes 21st in U.S." » Edward Tulane party in Daleville Honor Mealey with Edward Tulane Your online guide to the August 1 issue of The Botetourt View Happy August. Wow, where did the summer go? Here at The Botetourt View, we’re already hard at work on our upcoming back-to-school issues (August 8 and 15) and our football issue (August 22). And that brings us to a programming note: If you’re an advertiser and wanted to be included -- especially in our football issue -- well, our advertising folks at advertise@botetourtview.com will be happy to talk with you. Or, if you’d like to place a classified ad, you can click classifieds@botetourtview.com. We reach more than 90 percent of the households in Botetourt County. (How do we do that? See below!) And now back to news, and we have lots of it this week. Attic Productions opens its summer musical, “Annie, Get Your Gun,” and we have a photo gallery from the show. You can see one of the photos above. That's Annie herself -- or, more accurately, Kris Laguzza in the role of Annie Oakley -- second from the right. Two Botetourt-bred musicians who are now making it out on the road are playing in the region this weekend -- Debrissa McKinney and Matt Ramsey. We have details on both of those. And, of course, there’s the continuing coverage on the death of Fred Hutchins. Also, in your Friday issue, you’ll see lots of places where we say “See the Notebook” for more. Well, here’s where to find that “more”: * James River grad Debrissa McKinney performs at FloydFest. (She’s everywhere!) So how can you get your news and photos in The Botetourt View? Keep reading below: Continue reading "Your online guide to the August 1 issue of The Botetourt View" » Two Botetourt musicians play shows nearby this weekend Here's a rare opportunity -- not one, but two musicians from Botetourt who are now making it good out on the road are playing close by this weekend. Only problem is -- one's playing in Roanoke and one in Blacksburg, so you'll have to choose. Here goes: We've talked up Matt Ramsey before. He's a Buchanan guy who's now down in Nashville, where he's worked with some big names. Saturday night, he's playing on the Roanoke City Market as part of "Downtown Rocks!" Showtime is 7 p.m., and music writer Tad Dickens has more details here. We also had a previous post about Matt Ramsey on May 23. 
We've also told you recently about Debrissa McKinney, the James River grad who now plays with Laura Reed and Deep Pocket, an Asheville, N.C.-based band that plays what Tad calls "hot funk." On Saturday night, the band headlines the Steppin' Out festival in Blacksburg. For more details, see Tad's report here. We had previous posts on Debrissa on July 25 and June 19. Floyd Ward Dance Studio is celebrating 80th year Floyd Ward Dance Studio has been dancing in the Lynchburg -Roanoke area for the past 80 years. Owners Carlton and Valerie Moses of Fincastle and her mother Elma Layman of Roanoke have owned the studios in Botetourt and Vinton since 1999. Floyd Ward and her sister originated the studio in Lynchburg. She was a dancer of the calibre of Isadora Duncan and spent time in Hollywood, California learning choreography. Though she has been dead a number of years, her dance legacy lives on in Daleville in a studio across from Lord Botetourt High School and two studios in Vinton. Continue reading "Floyd Ward Dance Studio is celebrating 80th year " » James River football practice is a sweating good timeThe hot sun is bringing the boys in for frequent water breaks, but for the James River Knights all is swell or sweltering in the first week of practice. Almost 50 students have come out for the JV and Varsity teams. The Knights have been Pioneer district contenders for the last several years and look good again for this season though they lost some key positions to graduation.
We had a previous post about James River football on July 30. And a programming note: If you're an advertiser who wants to get into our upcoming football section, you can contact advertise@botetourtview.com. Our print edition goes to more than 90 percent of the households in Botetourt County.
Oriskany Strings and James Christian to Play August 9 in Clifton Forge The Oriskany Strings oldtime band will play at the historic Masonic Theater (formerly called the Stonewall Theater) in Clifton Forge on August 9 beginning at 8 p.m. Local musician James Christian Jr. from New Castle will be performing with the Oriskany Strings, and also will perform several solo songs. The concert is part of the Virginia Opry series of musical events hosted at the theater by Appalfolks of America. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. For ticket information, call (540) 862-7407. July 30, 2008Summer vacation photos from Oregon
Hallie and Cassandra Bulmer traveled to Oregon together in late June and early July to spend two weeks with Cassandra's son, Barret, his wife Brenda and their boys Owen and Benjamin. Hallie and Cassandra enjoyed several days of sightseeing and shopping in Portland before returning east. Webb remembers Hutchins in speech from Senate floor U.S. Sen. Jim Webb has just delivered a tribute to his aide Fred Hutchins in a speech on the Senate floor. For details, click here. Hutchins was found shot to death yesterday along U.S. 220 near Fincastle. Several people -- including a former teacher at Lord Botetourt High School -- have left remembrances on our original post about his death. James River and Lord Botetourt hold football camps
Continue reading "James River and Lord Botetourt hold football camps" » Missing woman who worked in Daleville found unharmedPolice had been looking for a Roanoke woman who works in Daleville -- she'd been missing for several days. She's now been found, unharmed, in South Carolina. For more details, click here. The original report is here. The story on Asbury Church that's been converted into a home Continue reading "The story on Asbury Church that's been converted into a home" » Fincastle library book sale a success; raffle winners announced Rena Worthen and Liz Zombrowski work on the raffle drawing that went along with the summer book sale. The summer book & bake sale held last week in Fincastle Library by the Friends of the Library was a huge success. To everyone who helped with the sale and to all the wonderful cooks who delivered baked goods, we thank you for helping make the event a success. Raffle Item winners are as follows: Continue reading "Fincastle library book sale a success; raffle winners announced" » July 29, 2008Fred Hutchins, aide to Webb, found dead along U.S. 220Authorities in Botetourt County this morning discovered the body of a well-known Democratic operative and U.S. Senate aide along U.S. 220 north of Fincastle, dead from an apparent gunshot wound. The body of Frederick W. Hutchins Jr., 26, of Roanoke was found shortly after 7 a.m. along southbound U.S. 220 by a Botetourt County deputy who had stopped to check on a vehicle parked on the highway's shoulder, according to the sheriff's office. Hutchins was an aide to U.S. Senator Jim Webb, D-Va., and previously worked for Del. Onzlee Ware, D-Roanoke. Hutchins had been shot in the head, and a gun was found beneath his body, Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle said. For more on this story, click here. Here's the official release from the sheriff, with a statement from Sen. Webb below that. Continue reading "Fred Hutchins, aide to Webb, found dead along U.S. 220" » Terrific Tuesday This cabin in Arcadia is air conditioned the old fashioned way. I am never ceased to amaze at what I find in Botetourt. Ok, somebody from the Buchanan area tell me about that Tee Pee on a farm off U.S. 11 south. An update on Allyson McClellan, the Cloverdale girl with cancer. So far so good. Her scans looked good said her mother but she is still in chemotherapy. The community outpouring of support is a real testament to the folks in that area. We had a call yesterday that wanted to inform us that Big Red the rooster was not abandoned by the former owners. We never said that but someone else mentioned it. To set the record straight, they couldn't catch him and the folks along the back alley and at the bank had become attached to him so they didn't go to extreme measures to capture him! Parks and Rec holds soccer camp this week Continue reading "Parks and Rec holds soccer camp this week" » Exit 162 and teacher Richard Furman rock! L to R Exit 162 Continue reading "Exit 162 and teacher Richard Furman rock!" » U.S. 11 turn improvements begin on August 4 VDOT posted signs late last week announcing the beginning of construction on the turn improvements at the exit 150 interchange nnounced in early July. Left turns will become double coming from U.S. 11 North onto U.S. 220 North. Expect delays from August 4 forward until completion in September. With school starting in a few weeks, the bus routes between Lord Botetourt and south county will bring additional traffic will be in the area. American Cancer Society program to help women overcome effects of cancer treatmentAndrea Britt sends us this information on behalf of the American Cancer Society about a program it's launching in Troutville for women who are undergoing cancer treatment: If you are a woman or you know a woman who is undergoing cancer treatment, the Look Good…Feel Better is here for you. We are excited to announce we now have this program in Botetourt County at the Troutville Town Hall. The Look Good…Feel Better program teaches female cancer patients beauty techniques designed to overcome the appearance changes that often result from cancer treatment. Licensed Cosmetologists will demonstrate the 12-step skin-care and makeup program, and offer fashionable tips for enhancing your appearance through the use of wigs, hats, scarves and accessories. The class is free and includes a cosmetic kit. Look Good...Feel Better's next session is August 4th. It is every 1st Monday of month. For more information please call the local American Cancer Society office at (540) 774-2716. Submitted by Andrea Britt. July 28, 2008Vacation photos from Colin Graham of Troutville  We've now added Colin to our map -- check out our Botetourt Summer '08 map right here. You can get on the map, too! Send us your photos at news@botetourtview.com Among the other Botetourt folks you'll find on our map are: Continue reading "Vacation photos from Colin Graham of Troutville" » Bike ride to fight MS comes to Buchanan Sept. 27-28The Blue Ridge Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society will hold a bike ride to raise money to fight MS in (and around) Buchanan on Sept. 27-28. Details about how to get involved are below, in this official release: Continue reading "Bike ride to fight MS comes to Buchanan Sept. 27-28" » Fresh Air Fund kids looking for an adventure, can you help?Inner city kids are looking for host families where they can get out in the countryside and experience nature and a different way of life than they are accustomed. The month of August is wide open, so contact the fund if you can help!http://freshair.smnr.us Gretchen Swartz wins ribbons at Salem Fair Send us those photos! Look at this one! Digital closeup photo of flower (less than 14 inch in diameter) in Boyd's garden. submitted photo by Robert Boyd, Daleville. Take care of the elderly in the heat Nurse manager Mary McGuire and Scott Maxey, Community services Director from Home Instead Senior Care in the Cloverdale area, review policies concerning the elderly and extremely hot weather. High school football starts today in Botetourt Lord Botetourt players hit the practice field this morning while the temperatures were still cool. The Cavs expect about 80 players said Head Coach Tater Benson last week. While it seems a little early because it's before August 1st a team has to get in a certain number of days before the first game can be played said James River Athletic Director Sheila Proffit last week. Both Lord Botetourt and James River hit the fields this morning in Daleville and Springwood. The Cavaliers will face the Knights on Friday, August 22 at home in Daleville for the first game of the season for both county teams. Tonight from 6 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. both schools host the gridiron camps for recreation players sponsored by Botetourt Parks and Recreation. July 26, 2008Looking for a sweet treat Sunday?You can get a tasty treat and help the Read Mountain Rescue Squad. Members of the Read Mountain Fire and Rescue Department are serving up ice cream sundaes from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday for their annual “Sunday Sundaes” fundraiser. Read this story by Beverly Amsler, published in The Botetourt View on July 18, for all the details. July 25, 2008Debrissa McKinney performs at FloydFest
Here's a link to a conversation that Botetourt View writer Ryan N. Jones had with McKinney in June. Botetourt DeMolay participate in Conclave state event Dinner at Conclave photo courtesy of William Bacuam Russell nationally ranked It’s a little-known fact, but Botetourt is currently the home of a nationally-ranked athlete. Track and field rankings are kept by www.milesplit.us. When the discus rankings for the U.S. are narrowed down to Single-A schools, Sawyer Russell, 18, is ranked number one in the nation. Brandon Miles (milestat@gmail.com) predicted such with his May 28, 2008 article Group A State Meet Preview – Ten Boys Athletes to Watch. Daleville Church announces awards and achievements by staff and membership Continue reading "Daleville Church announces awards and achievements by staff and membership" » Jamison Design The finishing touches on the new complex prior to the house removal on the front of the lot about a month ago. "Annie Get Your Gun"!Second annual Oriskany Fall Festival Sept. 27 Members of the Oriskany Strings, the local group that will play at the fall festival. Courtesy of the Oriskany Strings. Continue reading "Second annual Oriskany Fall Festival Sept. 27" » Online guide to the July 25 edition of The Botetourt ViewAre you having summer fun? On vacation? If you have photos you'd like to share, send them on in to news@botetourtview.com or visit botetourtview.com and click the "Share" button. Meantime, while you're soaking up summer, you'll want to catch up on The Botetourt View. Here's a guide to some of our special online extras this week: * Photos of a house's 12-mile trek And more... Continue reading "Online guide to the July 25 edition of The Botetourt View" » |