Historic Fincastle Inc, originally purchased and renovated historic structures in the Town of Fincastle. Lately the restorations have been privately done and on June 19, an historic home renovated by John Lipscomb an area resident and David McCray will host HFI’s Raise the Roof event to replace the shakes on the James Mattern Early Cabin.

Located on Main Street, the Reinhart- Luster home is circa 1840. The home has undergone extensive renovations since last spring. Lipscomb gave a tour of the home which is very spacious inside and has the traditional old time Fincastle pine floors currently being sanded and readied for the event.

Lipscomb and partner McCray decided to return the home to single family dwelling. Most recently he said it had been apartments. It can be noted that at one time the house was a a school during the 19th century. They have renovated homes in old Southwest in Roanoke as well.

Lipscomb has been a resident of the outskirts of Fincastle since 1995 where he resides on a farm with wife, Abby.

The structure has been given a face lift both inside and out and some rock foundation work will complete the sturdy repair of the old home.

The Raise the Roof event will not only raise funds, but will allow attendees to see the renovated home. And all for free. there will be things inside on sale as well as the Cedar roof shake shingles for the historic James Early Cabin that HFI operates as a Fincastle Museum. The shingles are $1 per cedar shake or $10/ ten cedar shakes  and for an event souvenir shake made by Mitch and Bobbie Bowman.

Here are the particulars: Saturday June 19,  4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wine: Blue Ridge Vineyard, Fincastle Vineyard and Winery

Food: Beverages and light fare available

Music: Cheryl Lunsford, the Guitar Dojo Studio , et al

Art Show and Sale: Ed Bordette, Harold Little, Helen Hubler, Dreama Kattenbraker and others

These 11 students at Greenfield have International roots!

Greenfield Elementary School is eager to participate in International Day on June 7th.

Teachers, students, and international presenters from the Roanoke Valley will come together to showcase diversity at Greenfield and around the world.

Some of our participants include:
Back row: Jake Duvall, Christian Snyder, Chelsea Milla, Josh Grimshaw, Jaren Hollandsworth, Lara Veldman, Anita Geiger Front row: Ben Rochford, Todd Moore, Lauren Slater, Daylie Umbarger.

Phot0 by Cathy Benson text submitted by Greenfield Elementary School

Linda Doolittle, a Vice President of the Bank of Botetourt, is among the worried that the younger generation has not learned how to save money.  As part of a project on teaching students about money and savings, the Bank of Botetourt  spent time with students at both Middle Schools during the last days of the school year. On Tuesday, May 25, Doolittle visited Holly Graham’s 8th grade English class at RMMS to talk to the students about saving money and the value of keeping money not only for goals like education, cars and future purchases, but also for a rainy day like a job loss or other life altering event.

The savy students were surprisingly aware of saving. All raised their hands when asked if they planned to go to college. About half said their parents aready had money set aside for their college funds. The other half planned to engage student loans. With the aid of Air Head candy, Doolittle fed the right answers to questions and encouraged healthy participation in the discussion.

Not to worry, the RMMS students seemed to have an idea that a penny saved could be a penny earned. Doolittle provided each student with a taped string of one hundred pennies to add to their savings! The future bank customers will no doubt have an idea of how to  save and hold a checking account from the informative classes.

The class list of participants included: Brandi Anderson, Breanna Anderson, Austin chocklett, erin Harnsberger, Thomas Hickman, Jillian Hunsberger, Eli Lupacchino, Ashley Lyle, Benjamin Miller, Katie Simmons, Jake Simpson, Jordan Smith, Alexander Tainer, Alana Thomson, Aaron Treadway, Rachel Wilson and Noah Wray.

It was obvious that Memorial Day is almost here as hundreds of motorcycles roared through Botetourt County.  Run for the Wall made it’s annual southern pilgrimage through the area. Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office provided a color guard to honor the Veterans and their kin and friends who rumbled through Exit 150 and on to Cloverdale Road to US 460 east, on May 27 right before noon.

Tommy Watts, an Army vet and a resident of Daleville and his wife Margie, along with Eagle Rock residents veteran J. L and Audine Dillon, arrived with the Watts’s daughter and grand children– Leslie Bradley, Hannah and Michael Bradley, whose husband and father Mike was one of the State Troopers leading the way for the 400 plus motorcycle riders. Watts said they had been coming to the spot at Rainbow Ridge subdivision for four years to wave and honor those making the trip. Jerry Snyder, Jimmy and Anita Wyrick and daughter-in-law Kim Wyrick and grandson Austin also of Botetourt County came about the time the Sheriff’s Department Color Guard arrived.

The Color Guard comprised of officers H.L. Wilkerson, D. Goodman, C.L. Noakes and H.L. Krizberger, stood by the police cruiser in rapt attention as hundreds of bikers most of whom are veterans, saluted, waved and beeped past the assembly. A few even took pictures from their motorcycles.

Run for the Wall began in 1989 as an effort to promote healing and unity with not only Viet Nam vets like the two who started the run, James Gregory and Bill Evans, but for all veterans to memorialize the missing (POW-MIA) and the dead (KIA0 from all wars. The Run for the Wall gives all Veterans an opportunity “for their welcome home,” said the website. So they also honor the nation’s armed forces.

The run started May 19 in Cucamonga, CA and two routes across the south and north separated the riders into two groups. Today’s group came from Wytheville to Montvale Elementary School and the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford and will return this evening to a dinner at the Salem’s Veterans Hospital. Tomorrow they will resume the ride to Arlington, Virginia, where they will rejoin with the northern route group then on to Washington DC and meet at the Viet Nam Veteran’s Memorial as part of the Memorial Day activities in our nation’s capital.

Are your children ready for summer, need something to occupy their time? Look no further than www.botetourt.org/recreation

We have an assortment of activities for you and your children.

Botetourt Children’s Fishing Carnival, June 5 from 9am to 1pm. There will be activities for children 15 and under to participate in. Children will receive a door prize, a bag of goodies (for the first 350 children) and a chance at the Grand Prize Drawing for thier age group. Lunch will be served to children and family. FREE FAMILY FUN.

Movie in the Park will take place on June 19th at Blue Ridge Park at dark. Movie will be Stardust. Bring your chair/blanket and come out for an evening of Free Fun.

Tie Dye Tshirt activity will take place on Saturday, July 3rd from 10am to 12pm at the Blue Ridge Park Large Pavilion for a cost of $5.00. Other fun activities will take place as well.

For the summer, the Recreation Department is offering numerous sports camps, educational camps, cooking camps, canoe trips and so many more activities. So call now to register your childs spot.

The Botetout County Newsletter is going electronic, interested?

As a cost-saving measure, and acknowledging the growing use of electronic media, Botetourt County has discontinued the mailing of paper newsletters in favor of distributing an electronic version.

Through this eNewsletter, county staff will from time to time share information about services and operations. You will read about projects, people and perspectives of the folks who work in County government.

Click link to learn more or to subscribe. http://www.botetourt.org/news_events/newsletter_list.php

Submitted by Botetourt County Parks and Rec

A storm system now approaching the U.S. east coast has the potential to become a tropical storm and serves as a reminder to Virginia residents that the Virginia Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday – that began this week – can help them get ready for hurricane season while saving money.

Hurricane season formally begins June 1, and the General Assembly created the sales tax holiday to ease the cost of creating an emergency supply kit. From May 25 through May 31, the purchase of certain items is exempt from sales tax. Some retailers also are discounting items that are exempt from sales tax for additional savings. Customers can use manufacturer’s coupons to lower the price of an item even more.

Among the items exempt from sales tax are: bottled water of all sizes and types, flashlights, battery-powered radios, batteries and first aid kits. Frequently asked questions about the tax holiday, a media kit and links to the Virginia Department of Taxation’s complete list of tax-exempt items are available at http://www.readyvirginia.gov/stayinformed/sales_tax_holiday.cfm.

Submitted by Wendy Farkas, Botetourt County Administrator’s Office

Botetourt A's Championship Team!

12 and Under USSSA Open Northeast Super NIT – Sterling, VA – May 15 and 16. Press Release

The 12U Botetourt A’s baseball team won the Northeast Super NIT and won a berth in the USSSA World Series at Disney World in July!

After losing 8-1 to the Detroit (MI) Bees in the first game Saturday, they bounced back to beat the Northern VA Knights 8-2. In the Sunday bracket play, they won 4 straight games beating Goose’s Gamers (CT) 5-4 in 7 innings, the Baltimore Chop (MD) 11-2, Virginia Vipers 11-8, and the Detroit Bees 6-3.

In the single elimination Sunday bracket play, the A’s first defeated Goose’s Games (CT) 5-4 in 7 innings. Trailing 3-1 after 4 innings, the A’s scored 1 run in the top of the 5th and another run in the top of the 6th to tie the game 3-3. In the extra inning, the A’s scored two in the 7th and held the Gamers to just 1 run in the bottom of the 7th to hold on to the victory. Drew Lisk pitched 6 strong innings to get the win with Morgan McCoy pitching the 7th inning for the save. McCoy was 2-4 hitting with Lisk driving in 2 runs. Read more »

FFA members at Read Mountain Middle School celebrated their 11th Annual Awards Recognition Banquet last Friday night May 21. Members and guests enjoyed a chicken dinner catered by Lorna VanOstrand while recognizing members for their many accomplishments and activities during the 2009-2010 school year. The following members received their Discovery Degree , the first FFA Degree available to 7th and 8th grade FFA members: Erika Buchanan, Kaylynn Wilhelm, Amanda Winger, Kate Spradlin, Justin Beard, Audrey Spangler, Logan Blankenship, Jordan Cox, James Gathje, Lauren Edwards, Lucas Webster, and Jordan Murphy. Courtney Henderson, Olivia Royal and Megan Moring received their Greenhand Degree and Courtney Henderson was additionally honored with the Star Greenhand Award. Sixth grade members recognized were Willis Watts, D.J. Cook, Michael Harlan, Robby York, Nelson Gil, Austin Woody, Cody Myers, Elnet Veldman, Caleb Rich, Alex Snyder, Maxwell Brewster, and Anna Hurt.

Mrs. Donna Henderson was honored with a certificate of appreciation for encouragement, cooperation and
assistance given the FFA in helping them to accomplish outstanding achievements in agriculture, leadership, citizenship and community development. Activities for the Read Mountain FFA this spring included celebrating FFA Week, FFA Day at Southern States, a working field trip to Cave Hill Dairy and members traveling to Va Tech for the VA Tech Block & Bridle Stockman’s Contest. Courtney Henderson, Justin Beard, James Gathje, D.J. Cook and Cody Myers competed in livestock judging, hay judging, meats judging, breed identification, equipment identification, and feed identification of livestock animals. Currently, members Justin Beard, D.J. Cook, Logan Blankenship and Jordan Murphy are preparing to compete in the Small Animal Care Contest at the State FFA Convention to be held at Va Tech in June. If you are interested in becoming a member of the National FFA Organization, contact Agriscience instructors Amy Stevens, Stuart Byrd, Andy Bell or Richard Furman at your local Botetourt County middle or high school.

submitted by Amy Stevens

Who could resist The Love Buzzards! Sent from Camp Bethel:

Everyone is invited this weekend (May 28, 29, 30) for our nightly 8:00pm concerts at Hillside Auditorium! Bring a love offering to benefit Camp Bethel’s summer camp ministries and extra cash for CDs.

- Friday, May 28, 8:00pm = Adonia (Christian rock; see info below).

- Saturday, May 29, 8:00pm = The Love Buzzards (see info below).

- Sunday, May 30, 8:00pm = Jack Hinshelwood and Family (see info below).

All information and the weekend schedule is at http://www.campbethelvirginia.org/mem_day.htm

Friday, May 28, 8:00pm, Adonia: YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT CONCERT TO BENEFIT CAMP BETHEL. This up-and-coming Christian rock band plays Camp Bethel’s Hillside Auditorium for a youthful twist on our usual holiday weekend concerts. All churches and community neighbors are invited to hear Adonia’s musical faith message. Bring an offering with half the proceeds to Camp Bethel and half to Adonia’s continuing music ministry. Learn more about Adonia at: www.myspace.com/adoniaband. Details at www.campbethelvirginia.org/mem_day.htm

Saturday, May 29, 8:00pm: The Love Buzzards! Funny name; classic sounds! Greg Honeycutt on guitar; Debbie McCallister on bass; Ted McCallister on mandolin; Lee Dunbar on banjo; and Curt Baker on dobro form this classic bluegrass, newgrass and nograss, gospel and eclectic band of friends and family. Also, listen on Saturday afternoon for “Buzzard Fest” at the Love Buzzards’ campsite!

Sunday, May 30, 8:00pm: Jack Hinshelwood and Family! Jack Hinshelwood is known for his long-time work with, among others, The Celtibillies. Jack and daughters, Holly and Sarah, will perform a lively set of jigs, reels and classics sure to please old and young and everyone in between.
All information, Open House and the weekend schedule is at http://www.campbethelvirginia.org/mem_day.htm

JRHS Class of 2010 Brent Cummings is a typical Senior

Brent Cummings smiles a lot. It is one the first things noticeable about the young man. Cummings is one of those students who made the choice to go to James River High School though he lived in the Lord Botetourt District. “I started at Breckinridge, and then when Greenfield opened, I went there. After 5th grade I went to Central Academy Middle School and made a lot of new friends. I decided to go to River. I have never regretted it.”

When asked what it has been like to be the preacher’s kid. Cummings, the son of Pastor Kevin Cummings and his wife Terri over at Fincastle Baptist Church, laughed. “People always think of preacher’s kids as either really bad and into everything bad or a goody two shoes. I hope I have shown that you can be a Christian teenager and still have a fun life.”

He had just finished an after school baseball practice. The Knights team has once again won the Pioneer Championship and he is looking forward to playing in the regions beginning the first week of June.

Cummings has also been on the golf team for four years. “Everyday with Coach John Shotwell was an experience. You just never knew what he might say next.” Cummings did well with golf and even has a partial scholarship along with other scholarships for his years at Liberty University where he will attend school next year.

Asked about highlights at James River, he said “It has been really great going into post season play the last two years in baseball.” What does he think has been a the best things at James River for him personally? “Well, inside jokes with my friends, my association with Young Life and the best? No doubt, the State Basketball championship-it was great as a student here– it was the top event of our high school years!”

He participated in numerous clubs at school like the National Honor Society, Varsity Club and Student Government both as an SCA officer and class officer. He is on fire for Christ and credits his smiling nature to awakening every day wondering what “God has in store for me today.” He will major in Religion with a focus on becoming a pastor.

Where does he hope to be in the future? “I will let God lead me to where I need to be. Ten years from now I hope I am a Youth Pastor or Young Life leader some where spreading the love of God to young people.” On June 10, he will along with his classmates take a  diploma from James River High School that will introduce him to the next level of adulthood and a host of memories of his high school career as a member of the JRHS Class of 2010.