The wind blew him off and he's an angry little leaf! Me, too!

Hey it’s Terrific Tuesday again! How’s everything in your neck of the woods?

I am feeling kind of punk today, kind of under the weather, the wind perhaps. I hate wind. It is my least favorite part about winter in Virginia and by cracky, this is a bit soon to be getting the blast of wind. Maybe this is an ill wind blowing?

Yesterday the wind blew everything around on my porch. I had to rescue my American flag on the front porch as it snapped and popped. You ever notice how noisy a flag is? The big ones at companies and stores can really make a racket especially if they are on a chain.

Mostly, I just hate to hear it blow. Blow, blow, blow, rattle, whistle, and hum. It also shakes my house when the gusts get bad enough. I live on a bald hill where the wind blows all year to some degree of “knots.”
I would love to dot my fields with wind turbines and think I could help with the power solutions of the future, but alas wind power is not set up for the small timer like me. It is set up for the corporate giant more for them and less for me.

Speaking of blowing wind, is it just my opinion or has the stimulus money only helped the major players? Was that a waste of  energy to say it was going to help everyone? How could it not help the State of Virginia? Every time I think about what has happened to Botetourt Correctional Center and Rockbridge Juvenile Center, I become very annoyed. I don’t like the way the wind has blown from Richmond and the Governor’s office at all. Wind direction change here, but my husband has been full time unemployed for over a year now resorting to several part time jobs when he can find them. Stimulus money has done nothing to help him find a job or create one in his industry. Fed Chairman Bernake says there are signs of recovery in many sectors but don’t count on jobs being created. Well, duh. Better how? How many thousands of jobs were eliminated? Which way is the wind blowing and what do I smell! It comes from the male version of the bovine, I think.

So blow, blow, blow. Wind from the north, hot air from Washington and Richmond. At least tell us the truth about what is going on out there. You can say things are improving in the recession but jobs aren’t going to come back and well like the  horrible old winter wind, your voices ring hollow. I ain’t so stupid you know, even if that is what you are counting on when you make the Chairman of the Fed say its all getting better.

If there are no jobs for the millions of unemployed, then how will it get better? it blows me away.

See ya next week!

Here are a few photos from the Battle of the Rivers.

James River Lady Knights volleyball vs. Staunton River Lady Eagles (JV & Varsity)

Submitted by Angela Smith

OTHER RECENT COVERAGE OF JAMES RIVER:
* Sept. 28: More photos from the James River homecoming parade
* Sept. 28: Paparazzi photos from James River’s homecoming dance
* Sept. 28: Photos from James River homecoming festivities
* Sept. 26: Photos from James River’s homecoming game vs. Staunton River
* Sept. 23: Photos from homecoming week at James River High School
* Sept. 23: Photos from “See You at the Pole” at James River and other schools
* Sept. 19: Photos from James River football vs. Auburn
* Sept. 16: James River band prepares for competition
* Sept. 16: James River FFA elects officers
* Sept. 16: James River Class of 2012 elects officers
* Sept. 14: “Three Cups of Tea” discussion at James River
* Sept. 12: Photos from James River – Altavista football
* Sept. 10: James River seniors selling T-shirts for Amanda Petty
* Sept. 10: James River After Prom Committee begins fundraiser
* Sept. 8: James River senior Amanda Petty seriously hurt in wreck
* Sept. 8: More photos from James River – Glenvar football
* Sept. 5: Photos of James River vs. Glenvar football
* Aug. 13: JV sports schedules

Kylene Smith

• First Grade- Kylene Smith has many teaching experiences, yet this is her very first full time position. She believes Greenfield is the best possible atmosphere to teach in, and says that she couldn’t have hoped for more! She finds it neat that she is the youngest teacher at GES.

• Young Scholars- This is Kristyne Bryant’s third year as a gifted resource teacher for BCPS. Prior to, she was an English teacher at Read Mountain

Kristyne Bryant

and taught in Roanoke City. She has a master’s degree from VCU, a BS in biology, BA in English, and a gifted endorsement from JMU. She says that she’s always loved school.

She loves being challenged and “dabbling” into different interest. She enjoys being part of the Greenfield community because the staff is welcoming and friendly.

• Custodian-Ronnie Niday. Ronnie says that he likes working at Greenfield because most everyone is friendly.

• Day Treatment-Sarah Jennings

• 

  Becky Lancenese

  Nurse- Becky Lancenese is a previous high school English teacher. She is excited about her new position as nurse. She loves having one-on-one time with students as they come into the clinic so that she can get to know each of them. Becky also taught piano lessons for many years and plays the piano at church!

• Cafeteria Manager-Jane Thomas has worked previously at Reed

  

  Jane Thomas

  Mountain Middle and Lord Botetourt High School. The part that she loves most about her job is meeting new people and cooking. She has a special passion for cooking in taking after her mother who was also a cafeteria lady. Jane says that God has truly blessed her with a wonderful family including husband, two daughters, and her dog.

During the weekend of September 19th over 30 volunteer and career personnel from Botetourt County attended two and half days of training on water rescue incidents.
“With the James River and its many tributaries running through Botetourt County, it only makes sense that emergency responders not only be equipped, but be trained in the latest standards for water rescue.” stated Botetourt County Division Chief, David Firestone. In the past 8 months, crews from all over the county have responded to numerous reports of victims in the water or in trouble on the waterways. Included in those calls for help was an incident involving a drowning near Glen Wilton earlier this summer.
This course was taught by Spec Rescue International, a Virginia Beach based training agency. Experts from West Virginia, Hampton, and Virginia Beach were brought in to help emergency responders get a true sense of the dangers faced during rescues in swift water and flooding events. Rescuers participated in activities such as: extraction of a victim from a completely flooded house, safe boat operations in moving water, and self survival techniques. “I think this course was a real eye opener for those that haven’t had the opportunity to participate in a water rescue incident, or training of this kind.” remarked Troutville Volunteer Fire Chief Scott Paderick.
Volunteers from around Botetourt County including the agencies of Blue Ridge Rescue, Troutville Fire & Rescue, Fincastle Fire, Eagle Rock Fire & Rescue, Glen Wilton Fire & Rescue and Read Mountain Fire & Rescue participated in this program. Over 30 personnel walked away with a much better sense of how to seamlessly and cooperatively operate during a water-based rescue, an increasing reality in Botetourt County. Eagle Rock Fire Chief Darryl John summed up the effort, saying, “It was a great class; we built a lot of camaraderie and took home plenty of valuable information.”

submitted by Jason Ferguson

Kitty, the eldest daughter, Shirley, Bill Elliott, Nikkie the younger daughter and her friend Ricky Boblett at Magic City on Saturday.

The weather didn’t cooperate for the Poker Run but it went on inspite of the rain. the  showroom at Magic City was full of love and good wishes for Troutville’s Shirley Niday who is battling recurrent breast cancer.

Medical bills can be steep when treatment is local, but Niday must travel to Johns Hopkins near Baltimore for treatment. Since she retired she has been going ever few months to the Maryland medical center.  Bill Elliott famous for his NASCAR days came up from Pensacola, Florida to sign autographs and help Shirley  with the beginning of the poker run which went from Roanoke through Craig County and back to Botetourt County to finish at the Copper Top in Buchanan.

Lots of fans and friends and family joined Shirley and wished her well and many got autographs from Bill Elliott, too!

She will return this month to Johns Hopkins to up date the status of her treatment. Further donations for the poker run may be made to her through the Old Mill in Fincastle which is operated by her daughters, Kitty and Nikki.

On September 26, Botetourt Service Unit Girl Scouts sponsored their 4th Annual Girl Scout Fun Day at Cloverdale Church of the Brethren.  Girls, ages kindergarten to seniors in high school, were invited to learn more about Girl Scouting, and to join or form a troop.  The rain may have kept the attendance down, but not the enthusiasm!  Girls enjoyed button making, face painting, nature crafts, games, a camp scene, recycling project and games, edible fire, a hot dog dinner, and S’mores. The rain required moving the “campfire” indoors; however, everyone enjoyed singing campfire songs led by the Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts. Other activities included Age Level Displays, a flag ceremony, and videos starring local Girl Scouts. Botetourt Service Unit serves girls, ages kindergarten to high school seniors, in Botetourt County, Villamont and Montvale.

Submitted by Jane Garnett

Child Id program continues and is sponsored by Free Masons and Eastern Star members around Virginia and this group at Fincastle

During the Fincastle Heritage Days, Freemasons and Eastern Star members provided a community service to parents and children by providing them with free identification hardcopy and CDs. Exactly 50 children were served in this weekend event. The IDs included general biographical information, fingerprints, still and video images with sound, and a kit to allow parents to take DNA samples. All computer files were erased as soon as the hardcopy and CDs were made for each child so that only the parents retained the information about their child. submitted by Dick Vinal

Catawba Lodge #342 of Fincastle started providing this community service in June of this year and has thus far completed a total of 103 identifications for Cub Scouts and Millcreek Baptist summer school students as well as those at this weekend event. Pleasants Lodge of Roanoke will be running a day-long identification program at Tanglewood Mall on October 3. Botetourt children are welcome to get their IDs then.

Here are a few photos of 2009 James River graduate Da’Von Ross (#86) playing for the Emory and Henry Wasps

Submitted by Angela Smith

Do you have news or photos involving college students from Botetourt? You can share at news@botetourtview.com.

“It was early morning on August 29, 2009 but no one could tell by the excitement of the boys in Daleville’s Boy Scout Troop 211.  The group of thirty, which included scouts, leaders, and scout families traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit the US Airways Flight Training Center. The training center is equipped with multi-million dollar simulators that are used by airline pilots to practice potential emergency situations in a controlled atmosphere.  Each member of the group was allowed to experience the controls of an aircraft and a flight in one of the simulators with a trained pilot.  The scouts were also able to fulfill several requirements towards their Aviation merit badge.  Later that day the Daleville group enjoyed an evening of NFL preseason football at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte where the Carolina Panthers played the Baltimore Ravens. The scouts were given pre-game sideline passes to watch the team warm ups and to take pictures.  After a long day with very warm temperatures, the troop and their families spent the night in Charlotte, returning the next morning.  The troop would like to thank Scoutmaster Steve Pappas and leader Bruce Stritskey for arranging such a great trip.”    

Pictured are:  James Platt, Mark Fralin, Jr., Pahl Pappas, Mark Fralin, Sr.; Front Row: Bryan Blumenthal, Jake Austin, Noah Pace, Hayden Lester, Stephen Filer,; Back Row: Brandon Pace, Nathan Wright,  Justin Platt, Steve Pappas and Chuck Gladu

Submitted by Beth Pappas 

“In 1982, then President Ronald Regan declared September as National Sewing Month in recognition of the importance of home sewing to our economy. We believe that even today home sewing continues to be an important facet of our economy. Each year members of the Roanoke Virginia Chapter of the American Sewing Guild celebrate National Sewing Month by donating samples of the various aspects of sewing for display in libraries throughout the Roanoke Valley. This year smocked dresses and totes, purses, quilts, fashion garments, knitting, crafts, embroidery, appliqué, home decor, and needle point items were on display at various libraries. The libraries included Blue Ridge, 419, Salem, Fincastle, Vinton, and Hollins.

The Roanoke Virginia Chapter of the American Sewing Guild is 103 members strong in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. For many of us sewing is a passion and oh so therapeutic.  The sewing guild sponsors four Neighborhood Groups that meet on a regular basis to sew and discuss sewing topics. Those groups include Sally’s Smocking, Mad Hatters, Fashion Designers, and the Loopy Hoopers (embroidery group). If you have an interest in sewing and want to share your sewing passion and experience the therapy, we invite you to join the Roanoke Virginia Chapter of the American Sewing Guild. You can contact, Marquita Brown, President (mbrown385@comcast.net ) or Tam McBride, Membership Chair (tammcb@cox.net ) for more information. “

Submitted by Lois Atkins