Halloween was a huge success in Fincastle! Perhaps one of the largest crowds ever filled the streets. Children of every size and age, young and old paraded up and down Main Street prior to the big candy haul. Hogwarts met at Fincastle Presbyterian while Elvis sang and  hot dogs  flowed at Fincastle United Methodist Church.

The Square Society held its Halloween party at Blue 5 in Roanoke over the weekend and our paparazzi photo crew was there. Here are the folks from Botetourt who stepped onto the red carpet:

* Christie Arthur, Scott and Sarah Hambrick and Philissa Taylor
* Philissa Taylor again!
* Sheila and David Herminghuysen

You can see the entire gallery here – or share your own Halloween photos at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.

Walter Dannhardt of Dannhardt Images shares this photo gallery from Friday’s Lord Botetourt game vs. Alleghany.

Do you have photos involving Botetourt County? You can share at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.

Our paparazzi photo crew was at James River’s homecoming dance on Saturday, and here’s the gallery of those who stepped onto the red carpet.

We also have:

* Photos from the game
* Photos from the halftime ceremony
* Photos from the powderpuff game

Do you have photos from James River homecoming? You can share at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.

Members of the class of 1961 inducted into the Bluefield College Golden Graduates Society during Homecoming 2011: (from left) Brenda Akers Hutzler, Claire Thurman Booth, Ann Shelton Lovingood, Steve Dixon, Johnsie Wright Morgan, Nancye Kinser Howell, and Rebecca Tyree Bruce.

Bluefield College honored members of its class of 1961 with induction into the school’s Golden Graduates Society during Homecoming festivities on campus, October 13-16.

Dozens of alumni and friends returned to watch the former BC students be inducted into the prestigious group, created in 2009 to honor and preserve the legacy of alumni from the Golden Anniversary era. Since then, more than 100 Golden graduates have been inducted into the society, including 10 this year from the class of 1961 and beyond.

“This society is designed to honor those who have reached the 50th year anniversary milestone,” said Dr. David Olive, president of Bluefield College. “You are a special group, and it’s a really nice honor to be a part of this society. We thank you for not only choosing Bluefield College, but also for your support of the school through the years since graduation.”

The golden grads participating in the 2011 induction ceremony included: (from the class of 1961) Claire Thurman Booth of Christiansburg, Virginia; Rebecca Tyree Bruce of Bahaman, North Carolina; Steve Dixon of Dumfries, Virginia; Nancye Kinser Howell of Tazewell, Virginia; Brenda Akers Hutzler of Dry Prong, Louisiana; Ann Shelton Lovingood of Chesapeake, Virginia; Johnsie Wright Morgan of Kingsport, Tennessee; (from the class of 1955) Gilbert Henshaw of Hardy, Virginia; Richard Smith of Troutville, Virginia; and (from the class of 1953) Violet Meade of Bluefield, Virginia.

Each received a gold medallion, engraved with the Golden Graduates Society insignia, along with a BC lapel pin, imprinted with the college seal. In addition to the induction ceremony, the Golden Graduates Society program also included special music from BC student Eugene Fitzgerald and remarks from President Olive, Vice President for Advancement Ruth Blankenship, and Alumni Director Josh Cline.

Submitted by Chris Shoemaker, Director of Marketing and Public Relations

James River defeated Bath County 14-6 on Friday night for a homecoming victory.

John Wimmer shares this photo gallery from the game. He had a previous gallery from the halftime ceremony.

Check back this afternoon for paparazzi photos from the dance.

Do you have photos from James River homecoming? You can share at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.

James River celebrated homecoming Friday night. John Wimmer shares this photo gallery of the halftime ceremonies where Jesse Witt was crowned king and Maribeth Kern was crowned queen.

Do you have photos of James River homecoming? You can share at news@botetourtview.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.

The Lord Botetourt Band Boosters will be hosting their annual Fall Craft Show at Lord Botetourt High School on Saturday, November 19, from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm.  Over 40 crafters are already registered to participate in the show and spaces are still available to rent.  The space rental fee is $35 and crafters must provide their own tables.  There will be a huge variety of items being sold such as handmade jewelry;  home decor items including Fall and Christmas items; candles & soaps;  handmade blankets, quilts, and bags;  house and garden flags;  children’s items; pet items; homemade pies by The Pie Lady;  Pampered Chef; Thirty-One gifts; and much, much more.  Concessions will be sold and there will be a bake sale, silent auction, and door prizes.  Admission is free.  For more information, please call Elizabeth Pierson at 992-2504 or e-mail at hipierson@comcast.net

Submitted by Elizabeth Pierson

Veterans Day Assembly at Breckinridge Elementary School will be held on Friday, November 11, 2011 at 8:30am in the school gymnasium.
Breckinridge Elementary will hold a Veterans Day assembly to honor the veterans of our school and community families.  The public is invited to attend this special assembly honoring those who have served in our armed forces.  If you are a veteran or have a family member who is a veteran, please join us at Breckinridge in recognition of all who have served.
Submitted by Stephanie Harris, Library/Media, Breckinridge Elementary School

On Friday, Nov. 11th at 9:30 am, Read Mountain Middle school will be holding an assembly to honor veteran family members of our students.  The choir will play, the band will perform, and the veterans will be recognized.  We will then have a small reception for our veterans after the assembly.  We have over 30 veterans planning to attend, representing all branches of the armed forces.  We have a WWII vet, a Korean conflict vet, several Vietnam Vets, and some from Afghanistan and Iraq planning to attend at this time. W will also take a moment to recognize family members currently serving. The entire faculty and student body will be involved, from parking cars, to escorting, to waving flags, to serving refreshments.  We would love to have a representative from your organization there to report this event.  We feel that it is very important to honor our veterans for their service, and we want our students to understand that it is a simple act of kindness to recognize someone for something that have done, yet it can have such an impact on someone’s day.  This is the first in what we hope to turn in to an annual tradition here at our school.  We hope to see someone from your organization there!

Submitted by Heather Simmons, M. Ed, Read Mountain Middle School