On Memorial Day 2010 he went to Buchanan to take part in the service at Fair View Cemetery. A Korean War vet, he is often seen at veteran’s events and in the parades in the Town of Buchanan riding with other vets. Ken Proffitt of Blue Ridge is a Buchanan native and a retired truck driver for Estes. “He was born on a bright May day in 1930 to Wilbur and Meryl Proffitt,” so said his sister Barbara Hill of Buchanan in a poem she wrote about his life. Proffitt was the oldest son of the now deceased couple. As a young man he assumed responsibility helping with the family when his mother died.

Always duty first, after the Memorial Day service, Proffitt was honored with a catered picnic for his 80th birthday by his family at the Troutville park and in spite of a thunderstorm or two on Monday afternoon, his friends and neighbors also came out strong. Proffitt and his wife Jean have been married 53 years and have four daughters, Linda, Diane, Penny and Sandy and a slew of grandchildren. Besides family and friends, one of the 8 men who served with him in the US Army in Korea came to help him eat fried chicken and birthday cake, Tim Manis of Farmville.

“I am a happy man,” said Proffitt of his milestone birthday party, his life and his service to his country.

Memorial Day at Joe Burhman's farm

Dee Dee Bruce sent us this photo of Memorial Day notice in her neck of the woods, she writes:
“Joe Buhrman’s barn north of Eagle Rock on Botetourt Road.”

Got any special pictures of Memorial Day weekend events from Friday through today? Send them to us!

news@botetourtview.com

Brent Cummings member of the SCA and Charles Alphin, Major US Army, Ret and member of the American Legion

American Legion member and retired Army Major Charles Alphin of Buchanan spoke about the importance of Memorial Day to the student body this morning at JRHS. ” It is too often we take our freedoms for granted. They have been won by those on the battlefield who died to preserve them for us.” said Alphin to the over 400 students and faculty members. He told the students the history of Decoration Day which became Memorial Day– a day set aside after WWI to honor the fallen in America’s wars and conflicts.

Sarah Smith played Taps and a moment of silence and a reciting of the pledge of allegiance rounded out the morning activities.

ERES students try on some vintage Fincastle wear!

The second grade classes at Eagle Rock Elementary took a tour of Historic Fincastle on May 21. The students went to the colonial schoolhouse and learned about what school was like long ago. They also went to a one room cabin and leaned about family life long ago. The third stop was the blacksmith shop where the students learned how these craftsmen created items out of metal and observed the tools that the blacksmith used. The students enjoyed a pizza lunch at Leonardo’s. Pictured are (left to right) Logan Craft, Ryan Simmons, and Jonathan Church dressed in historical outfits.

Chundina retires from Troutville Elementary School after 32 years of teaching

It has been a fun job as one might imagine teaching the Kindergarten class. Jane Chudina has been teaching 32 total years and 31 of them at Troutville Elementary School. The breakdown of her teaching career is 11 years in second grade, 1 year in first grade and 19 years in Kindergarten. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 1978. Now she will retire to the next phase of her life. She has seen changes in education and parts of it have come full circle, she said.

“Kindergarten used to be developmental, but is now paper and pencil academic, ” said Chudina as far as changes go in her 32 years of teaching. What else has she noticed? “Children have changed they are exposed to so much more information. SOL’s have changed what they have to know, ” she remarked.

She and her husband  have been a long time residents of Roanoke. In her off time she volunteers for the Ronald McDonald House and has raised two daughters, one of whom is in health care and the other in teaching in Roanoke City Public schools. “I plan to relax, garden, travel and volunteer in my daughter’s class.” She continued, “I will miss watching the children grow as they do in Kindergarten. They are adorable and funny. One of my students looked at a record we still have and said, “That is a really big CD!” she said with a laugh.

During her time at Troutville she has seen five principals come into her building as a teacher at the school. One of the most unique things that happens to long time teachers is ,”I began to teach the children of children I taught in the past.

As far as her good-bye to Troutville Elementary, “I have loved every minute in Botetourt County Public Schools. I have really loved working here with my co-workers, administration and definitely the people who live here.”

The newly organized Eagle Rock Friends of the Library met on May 24 and elected officers and set up a fundraiser for the Eagle Rock Library. The officers include Paris Riddle, President; Judy Hannah, Vice-President; Trudy Trammel, Secretary; and Bob Greiner, Treasurer. The group is now in the process of collecting books for a book sale later in the summer which will benefit the library’s children’s services. The community is asked to please contribute new and used books for this fundraiser. There will be a drop-off box at the main desk. The next meeting will be at 6:00 PM on Monday, June 14, in the library’s community meeting room. By-laws, dues, activities, and event planning will be considered at this time. The Friends of the Library plans to be an active supporter of the new Eagle Rock Library. Membership is open to all ages. Community participation is important to the future of this organization.

submitted by Donna Vaughn

Library hours were set to be cut due to state budget woes translated to the county level. However at the Tuesday Board of Supervisor’s meeting, Chairman Terry Austin announced the Library hours would be maintained. Botetourt County has four libraries in Blue Ridge, Fincastle, Buchanan and Eagle Rock that serve thousands every year.

Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Jill Deegan

At its 2010 conference, the National Animal Control Association (NACA) recognized leaders in the animal control profession from across the United States. It honored Botetourt County’s Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Jill Deegan, with its Bill Lehman Memorial Award.
Although not directly employed in the animal control field, recipients of this award have shown exceptional awareness in animal control matters that merit distinction. Winners are recognized as a “friend” of animal control, for contributions and outstanding action that assist in furthering the positive image of animal control professionals through local, state, or national animal control associations.

Jill Deegan serves as the Assistant Commonwealth Attorney for Botetourt County, Fincastle, Virginia. She works closely with animal control going to crime scenes, necropsies, etc. Jill attends and speaks at veterinary and animal control conferences. She updates legislation, helps find homes for animals from her cases and keeps the public aware of animal crimes in the community.

The National Animal Control Association offers a National Training Academy for animal control officers, police officers, sheriff’s deputies and federal agents across the United States.

–submitted by Botetourt County

Corporal Travis Carter has been named U.S. Marine Power Technician of the year

Corporal Travis L. Carter was a key member of the Engineer Maintenance Company. Carter and his fellow marines were able to safely and successfully retrograde 25 pieces of utilities gear from Iraq to Afghanistan. He also provided an electrical power and environmental control plan for Baharia, Iraq and Delaram, Afghanistan.

Due to his superior leadership and dedication he is respected and admired by all who observe him.  Carter’s professional ability, initiative, and loyal dedication to duty reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service.

Currently stationed in Okinawa, Carter is a Troutville resident and is a 2006 graduate of James River High School. He is the son of Butch and Deb Carter.

Lord Botetourt baseball won the Blue Ridge District tournament title in convincing fashion Thursday, blasting Alleghany 12-0.

Rebecca Evans shares this photo gallery.

Do you have photos from any of the tournament action? James River softball also won the Pioneer District title Thursday, and James River baseball plays for the title this afternoon in Covington. If anyone has photos, you can share at news@botetourtview.com.