Jim & Renee Oliphant of the Ragtops. Photo courtesy of David Gibbs

Annual Barrel Tasting – Virginia Mountain Vineyards is holding its annual barrel tasting of new wines on Sunday, May 19, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Tastings of several vintage years of different varietals will be offered in the winery directly from the barrels. Music on the patio is provided by the popular Roanoke duo Jim & Renee Oliphant of the Ragtops. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served along with available Baylee’s Best Chocolates. Rain or shine event as the patio is covered.

There is a $7 tasting fee.

For more information, call 540-473-2979, email info@vmvines.com or visit www.vmvines.com.

– Submitted by David Gibbs

Piano students of Sherrie Andrews of Daleville will be presented in their Spring Recital on Sunday, May 19th at 6:30 pm, in the sanctuary of Bonsack United Methodist Church (4493 Bonsack Rd. Roanoke). Students will perform solos, duets, and duos in a variety of musical styles and from all major historical periods.

The students performing are Hayley Boland, Jake Davidick, Josh Davidick, Cooper Dehr, Jaclyn George, Mark George, Libby Keely, Russell Killian, Leah Misicko, Marty Misicko, Jo Ann Mooney, Donna Ruley, Chris Thrasher, Gavin Vess, and Katie Wheeler. The public is cordially invited to attend this free event!

- Submitted by Sherrie Andrews

James River High School’s dramatic  rendition of “Born to be Wild” was full of hilarity! The flamingos lived up to their billing, the praying mantis exemplary, dog obedience training,  monkey biz, Raccoon schemes, spider and fly, deer crossings, the cats “Me-wow!” and the teen aged bat sounded way too familiar. It was a great night at JRHS on Friday, May 10. A big “huzzah”  to the actors, crew and director!

Cast: Trent Smith, Katie Smith, Tyler Wagner, Kayla White, Julia Ewen, Erin Smith, Anna Falls, Molly Hand, Morgan Gozzo, Zak Keith, Technical Staff: Sam Malloy, Joe Kettelson, Tiffany Brandt, Samantha Cahoon.

Director: Josh Boblett and Assistant Director: Sharon J Keith.

Kayla Parker with her instructor, Lenora Turner, at the conclusion of her performance. Photo courtesy of Jason Cohen

Kayla Parker of Troutville performed her second piano recital at The Blue Ridge Academy of Music Recital Hall & Theatre on Sunday, April 21. She very competently presented material including Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Leopold Mozart’s Minuet in F, and fun popular songs such as “Cruella DeVil” from Disney’s 101 Dalmations. Her audience was thoroughly entertained. Kayla is pictured here with her instructor, Lenora Turner, at the conclusion of her performance.

– Submitted by Jason Cohen, Blue Ridge Academy of Music

Art by Lindee Katdare

Fincastle Vineyard & Winery, nestled in the Great Valley of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, will be hosting a summer “Wine and Art” series on Sundays from 2-5 pm. Classes are scheduled for May 19th, June 9th, June 30th, July 21st, August 11th, August 25th, Sept 15th, and Sept 29th.

Local artist Lindee Katdare has designed a series of 4 paintings exclusively for Fincastle Vineyard and Winery. This series will not be offered at any other locations or private events. For this exclusive event, we provide everything you need for a relaxing, creative afternoon. Lindee Katdare will provide stroke-by-stroke instructions, paint, 16 x 20 canvas, brushes, and easels. Fincastle Vineyard will provide a wine tasting and gourmet lunch box (vegetarian options available).

This is the perfect way to spend a summer Sunday afternoon. You will be amazed at the talent you may find at the end of your own paintbrush! We prep our canvas in advance. No experience necessary. Fill your glass, relax and create! Your one-of-a-kind artwork is yours to take home, with your signature of approval!

The price is $55 per person, including artist instruction, art supplies, wine tasting, and gourmet boxed lunch. Wine bottles can be purchased at Finecastle Vineyard. No outside beverages are permitted.

Minimum 14. Maximum 20. Spaces fill fast, so register quickly at www.thelindeetree.com.

- Submitted by Lindee Katdare

On Saturday, May 18, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm, A Band Called Stone Canyon will be performing at the Fincastle Vineyard & Winery. The cost is $10 per person, or $8 if you bring your Fincastle glass. There will be a food vendor on site. For more info, visit www.fincastlewine.com, or call (540) 591-9000.

- Submitted by Fincastle Vineyard and Winery

Pictured are:

D.J. Fowler, Sam Stein, Brandon Moore, Tanner Clemmer, Sherman Austin, Hunter McCoy

Kennedy Eastman, Emory Austin, Andrea Orde, Shalee Merdith,Lacey Henry, Kayla Hannah, Taylor Campbell

Amy Coleman, Garett Vaught, Brandon Harper, Sahara Clark, Bethany Ross

– Submitted by Tammy Simmons-Campbell

Do you have prom photos to share? You can email us at news@botetourtview.com or use our “share” tool to upload 10 at a time.

OTHER PROM PHOTOS:
* Paparazzi photos from the Lord Botetourt prom.
* Paparazzi photos from the James River prom..
* Caitlyn Overbay and Robert Switzer at the Lord Botetourt prom
* Carson Swoope and friends at the James River prom
* Bradley Mason and Alisa Green at the Lord Botetourt prom
* Sherri Kent shares photos from the James River prom
* Shari Sutherland shares photos from the Lord Botetourt prom
* Tater Benson and some of his students before Lord Botetourt prom
* Meghan Underwood, Matthew Smith, Jennifer Smith and Lexis McCormick at the 2013 James River High School prom.
* Emilee Duffy and Matt Hall head to the LB prom
* Kim Gil shares photos from the LB prom
* Elizabeth Rhodes shares photos from the LB prom

Dorothy Barnett, Megan Wentworth, Hannah Austin and Morgan Rakes, not pictured Maggie Grumbine and Trent Smith

The James River High School creative writing team brought home the State 1A Creative Writing championship for the fourth time. The win prompted Principal Jamie Talbott to remark, “They now have as many state championships as the girl’s softball team.”

The creative assembly of writers and students of Rebekah Woodie found out Monday, May 6 they had  won another title. Botetourt County School Board honored the team at the May 9 regular meeting without Woodie. She had Art teacher Dorothy Barnett deliver her remarks. Two members, seniors Trent Smith and Megan Wentworth placed first place with a short story by Smith and a poem by Wentworth. Other members who received superior ratings were seniors Hannah Austin, Morgan Rakes and Maggie Grumbine and Sophomore Kayleigh Neeley.  ” We had 5 superior ratings and 1 excellent rating, “  read Barnett. ” We far out scored the competition. Our students worked hard…they have much to be proud of and they never gave up.” Grumbine and Smith were in events for the school and could not attend.

School superintendent Dr. Tony Brads gave kudos to all of the students who participated in awards for the evening. Each school board member received a copy of the  state competition booklet so they could read the winning team’s State Championship creative writing!

“Born to Be Wild” A series of vignettes of the animal kingdom will be performed  on May 9 and 10 at James River High School.  A pair of funny flamingos, a chicken, racoons, monkeys, bats, a spider and a fly and many more … a real menagerie takes the stage at James River High School!

“Born to be Wild”

Dates: Thursday, May 9th at 7 p.m. and Friday, May 10th at 7 p.m.

FREE!

JRHS players will present a hilarious set of vignettes of the animal kingdom May 9-10.