Gary Williams sent in this photo of Jan Williams, attempting to remove 14 inches of snow from a car.

Thanks, Gary!

One of our favorite pastimes is looking at the “self portraits” wildlife take in these pictures sent by our area naturalist and wildlife enthusiast Ben Shrader.

Thanks Ben!

Wildlife Photo courtesy of Ben Shrader

Tri-County Forestry & Wildlife Association
Monday, January 11, 2010
ROANOKE Moose Lodge #284
3233 Catawba Valley Drive* (Route 311)
Salem, VA 24153
Guest Speaker:
Milton McGrady
6:00-6:45 pm Social Time
6:45-7:30 pm Dinner ($10/person; guests welcome)
7:30-8:30 pm Program (“MUSHROOMS”)
8:30 pm Door Prizes
Please RSVP by January 4th
Botetourt County
Larry Ceola (540.588.4350)
Marian McConnell (540.309.4707)
Craig County
Ellen Horn (540.864.6701)
Duane Means (540.544.3082)
Roanoke County
Rob Guiles (540.384.6786)
Jim and Pat Garrison (540.765.8297)
The Tri-County Forestry & Wildlife Association was formed in 1998 to promote stewardship of forestry and wildlife resources through education, communication, and membership assistance. The membership is comprised of landowners and interested individuals in Botetourt, Craig, and Roanoke Counties, and the immediate surrounding areas. The organization serves its members by creating networking opportunities and by providing a conduit to sources of professional assistance.

submitted by Larry Ceola

Let the citizen beware an unlocked car with valuables is not a good idea even in Botetourt County. Last night several cars were burglarized in the Cambridge and Mimosa Drive areas of Tinkerview Gardens behind Lord Botetourt High School. After a home invasion in Daleville on Sunday night, the residents of Daleville are  already nervous and now a series of cars have been burglarized.

One of the victims (who asked not to be identified) received a call that her wallet had been found in the middle of Catawba Road. A passerby had found the wallet on his way to work and called the Sheriff’s Department. Cash was removed from the wallet and items left in the car including a lap top computer. The Sheriff’s Department noted that none of the cars were locked and that several vehicles were discovered burglarized this morning. No word on what was taken from the other cars and any value associated.

The investigation continues.

The new Library in Eagle Rock is looking good!

The Library at Eagle Rock has taken shape nicely despite the bad weather. Steve Vest, head librarian for the Botetourt County system, said, “I was in there yesterday and they have the carpet laid.” One of the construction projects begun in Botetourt County in 2009, it is progressing according to schedule said Vest.

Vest also said they have 11,000 books ready for the new branch planned to open this spring. The library is expected to be a focal point for north Botetourt County. Replete with wireless, new furniture and meeting rooms and best yet, next to the elementary school, it should provide much activity and places to gather.

The library has been in the planning and building stage for about two years. Though the county is looking at a tighter fiscal belt, it is expected to open on time with staff. The Eagle Rock branch will be the fourth branch in the County’s system. Blue Ridge, Buchanan and Fincastle libraries also serve patrons around the county.

A move is under way by the  system to have people donate magazine subscriptions to the system– especially for the Eagle Rock Library. to make a tax exempt donation contact the library at 977-

The Buchanan Theatre welcomes the North Carolina Band KOLE on Saturday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m. The band can be enjoyed by all ages and provides a mix of alternative pop/rock and reggae music. You can visit their web site at www.kolespace.com for music samples. Tickets are $8.00 and are available at the door and in advance at the theater during regular business hours and at the town hall.

Hi! It’s Terrific Tuesday again! How’s everything in your neck of the woods? Happy almost New Year! Hope you had a great Christmas or what ever holiday you celebrate!

Ringing out the the old year, here are my Top Ten Stories of 2009.

The old year is about to go to sleep...

1) Layoffs at and closings of major employers. See my previous post about 2009– it wasn’t all bad unless you were laid off or closed a business. Ask the revamped Ann Landers question are you better off today than you were last year or the year before?

2) Sports and  other successes at the local high schools–LBHS has a state golf champ–JRHS had a track and swimming championship. Numerous teams won district championships from both schools and made it to regional and then state play! James River had a particularly successful year in boys basketball, baseball, football and soccer and girls in soccer, softball, also mixed boys and girls in track and swimming and Cross Country. Lord Botetourt has a volleyball powerhouse and did well in Girl’s Basketball, Boys basketball, Boys and Girls soccer and other sports as well. Both bands had a great year with a  state champ at LBHS and a JRHS had a chance to play the Veterans Day parade in NYC. Tractor trouble shooters at LBHS scored a championship and robotics teams wowed them,too. Not to mention the prowess of the Pulsar Club kids, the winning team in 2009 from James River HS who presented their findings at West Virginia University in May.

3) Wrecks on Interstate 81. Always among the most newsworthy, yet tragic, events. Jimmy Carter of Buchanan sends us plenty of pics from those accidents near Exit 168. The wrecks lead to pile-ups and long lines and too often injury and death.

4) The Buchanan Water problem. Maybe not completely defined as the demise of three restaurants in Buchanan, it sure didn’t help and though help is on the way…. Well, it has been a mess. Mayor Tom Middle- camp and Buchanan Town Council have made the necessary steps to resolve the problem, but it will take time to design and build the treatment facility. In many ways the water problem was a natural disater  for the Buchanan Community.

5) The Daleville Town Center opened and a one of a kind in the area, too. We have high hopes for its success.

6) Fifty plus years of Camp Twenty Five ended as the Botetourt Correctional Center closed. Then PETA announced they’d like to have it for a museum to save chickens.

7) The high schools–James River and Lord Botetourt celebrated 50 year anniversaries.

8) Food Lion remodeled in Blue Ridge and opened a new Orchard Market Place Food Lion in Daleville.

9)Chuck Wicks came to James River High School. This rising star gave a great show and interacted with the students. He was a Class Act!

10) The great snow and white Christmas of 2009 has us still talking about the weather!

And an honorable mention and a self appreciating pat on the back.The Best of Botetourt Campaign here at the Botetourt View honored the people’s choices! Even our competitors have run advertising with our Best of Botetourt logo included in the ad!! Folks we couldn’t do it with out you!

Happy New Year! See ya in 2010!

Cathy Benson hard at work in 2009.

Buchanan plans a big New Year's Eve!

Ring in the New Year in Downtown Buchanan!
Activities begin at 8 p.m. in the Buchanan Library including refreshments and games. Enjoy Free movies in the Buchanan Theatre. Activities end as everyone gathers on the lawn and in the Fellowship Hall of Trinity Episcopal Church at 11:30 p.m. for the official Count Down and Ringing of Church Bells at midnight.

Hope to see you there!

Submitted by Harry Gleason

Creations opened a successful gallery of many small crafters and artisans in Buchanan.

2009 was a bad year for the national economy and certainly Botetourt County reflected the downturn.

Major employers and purveyors of tax money for the county were especially hard hit. JTekt announced a closing scheduled for finality in February 2010. The last of the folks at Groendyke finished in early 2009. Botetourt Correctional Center closed. Layoffs happened at Gala Industries and Metalsa.  O’Neill Steel closed it’s doors. In other words, 2009 been a year of big hits to the Botetourt economy and at the last Board of Supervisors meeting just prior to Christmas, Botetourt County announced it is $1.5 million in the red.

Hundreds of Botetourt employees faced the unemployment line in 2009 as well.

Other smaller sized businesses also had it rough.  Closed restaurants included Izumi, River’s Edge, Ransome’s Fountain and The Fat Cat Diner. Nannies Market closed on Catawba Road as has Air Lee Cleaners, the Affordable Mattress Center, Three Graces and Candy Girlz at Daleville locations. Regionally, Blockbuster Video, including the one at Botetourt Commons, folded.

On the positive side, new business has come to the county or re-grouped. Daleville Frame and Art has hung on — leaving Botetourt Commons for a newly re-opened Roanoke Road location in Oakdale Plaza next to Bank of America. P.Zaz has new ownership.

A new Verizon cell phone store opened in Botetourt Commons after US Cellular left. Dr. Leanna Lawson established a medical practice in Daleville. Eye Care and Surgery and Blue Ridge Optical relocated to a new building. A new Botetourt Physical Therapy group opened in Botetourt Commons.  Galloway’s Blueberry Hill Restaurant opened where Izumi and the Fried Pickle were once located. LinzJack Hot Dog Shack also opened this year. A new arts gallery, Creations, came to Buchanan as well as the River Inn as a bed without breakfast on Main Street. Daleville Town Center with Fralin and Waldron and Williams Lighting to be followed by an Imaging Center.  Food Lion opened though both they and the Daleville Town Center have plenty of empty space seeking occupants in the pre-built areas on the acreage.

No new major employer came to the county in 2009 and represents the lack of new jobs for those who have lost employment in layoffs or closings at county industry and business. Or, as new revenue collected for the county coffers. The Supervisors have been studying the lack of new industry coming to the county and more of the results on the study should be forthcoming in 2010.

The fall in new construction permits was huge in Botetourt County, less than 100. But, big tanker trucks have begun to go back and forth to Roanoke Cement again. Eight thousand dollar tax credits have opened the real estate market for existing homes in an increase in sales to home buyers. General Shale still has a lot of bricks filling the yard awaiting the return to building of new construction when the housing market gears up again.

Time will tell if the national economy is under a recovery and not just a pronouncement by wishful politicians and economists. Large budget shortfalls in the Commonwealth will lend another bad year to budgeting on the county and school levels, though, as foretold in the preliminary budget proposal by outgoing governor, Tim Kaine.

Botetourt is watching and waiting to see what 2010 brings.

Sarah Graham sent in these pictures of her dogs. The top photo is Lola and a snowman. The bottom photo features the dogs in their Christmas attire.

Graham is the daughter of Steve and Barbara Graham.

Thanks, Sarah!