Terrific Tuesday: The Top Ten Stories of 2009
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.
December 30, 2009 - 8:18 AM
Cathy! Thank you for your interest and passion in education and RAYSAC’s misson to reduce underage drinking. Each article you write in those areas brings awarness. Best wishes for 2010!