Do you want to make a difference in your community? People count on the American Red Cross to help in times of crisis. You can make a difference by joining the Red Cross as a volunteer. It’s the power of its volunteer corps that enables the organization to deliver its mission of providing hope and help.

Volunteers are central to the work of the Red Cross in our community. These volunteers are people in action—whether providing comfort to a family whose home has been destroyed by a fire; teaching first aid, CPR and other lifesaving skills; supporting blood drives; or helping veterans, members of the military stationed overseas and their families at home.

Right now, the Red Cross especially needs people who are willing to respond to disasters. Each year, Red Cross volunteers bring food, shelter, comfort and hope to local families faced with rebuilding after disasters. Volunteers are needed to assist families with immediate needs after a disaster and help guide them on their road to recovery.

The majority of Red Cross Disaster Service volunteers are retired and searching for a rewarding experience by making a difference in their communities. There are even married couples searching for opportunities to do something together, and enjoy the volunteer experience. These volunteers are Red Cross Disaster Action Team (D.A.T.) members, responding to local disasters that occur, such as house fires, flooding and snow storms. Some also volunteer during national disasters like Superstorm Sandy

People don’t have to have any special skills, only the desire to help others. It’s a simple process to become a volunteer and the Red Cross provides all of the training.

Join the movement. You might find your own life changed. People interested in volunteering can go to www.RedCross.org and type in their zip code to reach the local Red Cross office and find out more information about becoming a Red Cross volunteer.

Submitted by Amy Whittaker, American Red Cross, Public Affairs Director

The Greenfield Education and Training Center in Daleville will host the DMV mobile unit on Wednesday, May 29th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. With the latest technology, the wireless office on wheels offers all DMV services including applying or renewing driver’s license – take road and knowledge tests; get your picture taken. You can also obtain vehicle titles, license plates, decals, and transcripts. Order disabled parking placards or plates on-site. If you have recently moved, you can stop in to update your address on your DMV record. At the same time you can update your voter registration address and organ donor status. Please call the Greenfield Center at 540.966.3984 with any questions.

— Submitted by Cassandra Dove, Greenfield Center Coordinator

Legacy International invites you to host Indonesian students or Indonesian English teachers in your home this summer, June 7-17. Contact Innocentia Afa at 540-871-0882 and visit www.legacyintl.org for more information on this unique and exciting educational opportunity!

– Submitted by Innocentia Afa, Global Youth Village, Outreach Coordinator

Hey it’s Terrific Tuesday again. How’s everything in your neck of the woods?

This time last week parts of the county were flooding. On the other hand, I was sick with the flu. Really I haven’t been warm for the past week. By this weekend summer will have arrived and I will be sweaty like I should be in May.  I shivered my way through last weekend and I still am shivering.

It was a balmy 32 degrees on my porch this morning at 5:55 a.m. I do rise early. We were growing clouds on our pond five miles west of Fincastle thus the above misty photos as they drifted along towards Fincastle at sunrise.  I shivered while I took the photos.

A great number of things make me shiver. Some of them are animal, vegetable and mineral–others are human. A tad of  discourse on humans that cause me shiverings for a moment.

1. People who say one thing and do another as convenience allows and sometimes stab the unsuspecting in the back.

2. People who make up the rules as they go along. Grew up with a brother who always wanted to win and well he did this frequently.

3. People who go to church but only practice their religion on Sunday for an hour at the max.

4. Irresponsible people whose actions or lack thereof cause misery to their loved ones, friends and maybe even coworkers.

5. People who suffer from egomania and that also causes those surrounding them to shiver in their timbers because “I” always first can be detrimental to the functioning of the rest of the people around.

Now the counter parts in the animal kingdom that cause me shivers but not nearly so much as the humans: They are crunchy insects, wasps, hornets and other things that sting, poisonous snakes, sharks, large predators like bears that I shiver over way too often (because I know they are around me). I am afraid of earthquakes, volcanoes and lava.  I have experienced the former but thankfully not the later. I have an irrational fear of heights so I shiver in tall buildings, I don’t like to fly and I am often creeped-out by the supernatural. I find that very shivery in my mind as well as my body.

I went to see the newest version  of  “The Great Gatsby” on Mother’s Day. Redford was eye candy back in the day and certainly DiCaprio is today. I had forgotten what that little book by F. Scott Fitzgerald meant to me. How the rich old guard dishonesty took down the newly rich dishonesty and all in the name of love and power. I shivered there as well. Here are the last few words that appeared on the screen:

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Indeed that makes me shiver almost as much as the flu. We humans borne back ceaselessly into the past. Repeating the same  stupid acts over and over…history repeating itself like a really bad movie of human behavior.

It makes me shiver to think even here in Botetourt!

See ya next week!

The Appalachian Regional Commission and American Heritage Publishing are collaborating on the production of a visitor-oriented “Map Guide” designed to boost tourism to Appalachia by showcasing its food-heritage and agritourism attractions. Site nominations are now being accepted at www.appfoodguide.com. Nominations are due by May 15, 2013!

All nominated sites must be located in the Appalachian Region, accept visitors, and represent a local food experience for travelers.

– Submitted by Richard “Pete” Peters, Director,  Botetourt County Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Left to right: Kristen Dyer, Ayla Wright, Emily Downey, Anastasia Donnini, Anna Kryder, and Devin Wood.

On April 30, 2013, the Botetourt 4H Horse & Pony Club competed at the district hippology competition at Lord Botetourt High School. Both the senior and junior teams won first place overall. 

Emily Downey placed first, Ayla Wright placed second, and Anastasia Donnini placed fifth overall individually for the senior division. Kristen Dyer placed second overall individually for the intermediate division. Anna Kryder placed first and Devin Wood placed seventh overall individually for the junior division. The teams are coached by Cindy Bandy and Marianne Jolley.

- Submitted by the Botetourt 4H Horse & Pony Club

Thurman my nephew bulldog.

Hey It’s Terrific Tuesday! How’s everything in your neck of the woods? It is almost summer. What to do what to do. Let’s go to the dogs.

I use wireless all over the county. My favorite places are the libraries and Mill Mountain Coffee. I see lots of people in Botetourt. Do lots of people watching. I am never ceased to be amazed by what I hear and see. I really like to see dogs. I am very fond of a dog that comes into MMC. Kodiak has been featured here in the Botetourt View as a reading dog.  A really smart beast and after five years of visits, counts me among his friends group. Mark, Kodi’s owner is a great fellow as well. He likes dogs.

Then there’s Paul Fitzgerald and his current wife, Lee. Though he stirs the ire of many, peels of laughter from others, he is a regular at MMC. He writes  not only for himself but the competition. Paul is a great guy and Lee is a peach. She likes dogs. I think he does, too.

Today I saw my  neighbor Betty. Her husband raised Beagles. Love Beagles. Some of the blood in my brother’s  little rowdy crowd of Beagles come from that stock. Her grandson Adam Keith is a a Beagle breeder and shows fine dogs all over. “A Beagle,” my Daddy used to say, “is a stomach from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail. You can’t fill  one up.”  My friend Delbert takes his Beagles everywhere,  even on vacation. I can find no fault in a Beagle lover.

My niece Chelle Quinn in Richmond has two Bulldogs. Uma is a lady bull dog who is mistaken in her perception of being a lap animal. Their new dawg on the block is Thurman, a puppy. Uma and I have a long standing affection. She unfortunately does not completely feel the same way about Thurman who is just the roundest, cutest dog. Hope to see them both soon. Bulldogs are fun dogs to love.

My friend Pat Shaver  at the League of Animal Protection has a bunch of adorable dogs (and cats) seeking a home. They are vetted and you will be,too before the dog goes home. Love rescue dogs h they are excellent pets.

My dog Buster that is called by 10 names and most infamously by me as “Dawg Boy” is a scamp. He will be 10 this year which just blows my mind and we rescued him. He does not act his age which is terrific. He loves cats and despises other dogs. A Pomeranian, he is  like most small dogs because  he thinks and acts like Spike the Rottweiler. I love dogs with character. Wait– they all have character!

So this week went to the dogs. That’s Thurman up there I on the top in the pic by Chelle.

See ya next week!

On Saturday, April 27, numerous ballgames were held on the grounds of Breckinridge Elementary. It was enjoyable to work in the yard and hear all of the cheering; however, long after the crowds had dispersed, their footprints remained. I took these pictures while walking the dog. Note that the trash cans were not full and they were easily within 4 feet of most of the trash. I thought this should be brought to the attention of someone.

– Submitted by Becky Koffman

Hey it’s Terrific Tuesday again. How’s everything in your neck of the woods?

“Tis Springtime, tis springtime cold winter has passed” ….maybe. One thing is for sure, it looks more like spring even if it does not feel like it.

Everywhere I go many of the folks who speak to me or call me, all have a common thread in Botetourt County. Sneezing, running eyes, husky and gruff voices laced with coughing. It’s pollen season in Beautiful Botetourt County. I am trying to remain Claratin clear–how about you?

So Terrific Tuesday is dedicated to the beauty of Spring in Botetourt at the expense of upper respiratory health. Enjoy the photos! The last photo has a puff of pollen blowing from the tree in the photo! Ugh!

Do you have photos to share? news@botetourtview.com

Left to right: Sam Anderson and Ben Persinger

In the fall of 2012, James River students Sam Anderson and Ben Persinger broke the record for the farthest-travelling rubber-band race car. The record-holders’ race car went a total of 43.1 meters (141.4 feet).

- Submitted by Andrea Miller