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Uneasy is the Iron Throne occupied by King Joffrey...on his elbow scheming advisers vie for power.-- Publicity Photo courtesy of HBO, "Game of Thrones."

Hey, it’s Terrific Tuesday again! How’s everything  in your neck of the woods? Who besides me is tired of gray skies and rain accompanied by the weird sound of the 17 year cicada? I think I am in the twilight zone.

Off I go to spin a yarn for this bleak day.

I have been watching Game of Thrones again on HBO this season. HBO is my sinful extra cost. While I buy  meat and food with pink stickers,  I use the savings to afford HBO so I can watch Game of Thrones until Nucky Thompson and Boardwalk Empire return.

I absolutely love Game of Thrones. The rebirth of Dragons has driven me wild with visions of my childhood when I wanted so to find a dragon skeleton or even a single dragon tooth or scale. The scheming and politics in such an ancient place– well they remind me of something…Hmmm….

I have noticed a great parallel in Game of Thrones to local, state and national politics. Who has the King’s elbow and whispers sweet nothings into his ear,  is likely to be the one who is influencing policy. Look at the whole sordid John Edwards affair. Certainly those who whispered in his ear influenced him to his demise and of course in his own stupid quest for love in all the wrong places. But, they received a lot out of doing it allegedly in dollar terms.

Here, the King has changed in some respects, to a Queen. Who at her elbow whispers in her ear?  She ought to get out more and discover the truths of Botetourt County on her own. More than one is concerned she isn’t getting a true picture. You see,  I hear the whispers of others elsewhere throughout the county–I drive around here about 500 miles per month. Maybe some people who desire the spot at the elbow, but certainly voices that need to be heard so she can form her own viewpoint.

I Googled “Lewis and Clark” (as in proposed Legacy Trail)  46,900, 000 in .22 seconds and then Googled “Greenfield” 8,930,000 .53 seconds.  Which could matter most? In tourism dollars and the L&CLT, it could be built upon a love story. “William Clark visits Julia Hancock before Thomas Jefferson! News at 6.” Good copy, baby!  Not to mention historical context, which made me laugh when the two were compared.  Greenfield could be part of the L&CLT because they were contemporaries, but it will never have anything more than local historical context on its own. Lewis and Clark helped build a nation with a gritty and determined exploration. It has huge significance in a country beleaguered–  could it become a rallying point– who knows?

On the other hill, I am all for the Sports Complex– its time will continue to build. Diversity will help America expand in the future economy, I feel. This country loves sports and being entertained.  The lack of the new business end worries me after all of those budget meetings this year.  Many whisper to me that to add more smaller businesses at Greenfield would make sense. 40 or less employee companies.

But do the folk whispering at the elbow think so? Who is leading the charge to attract business here? That could be where all the difference is made.  We have “Winter is Coming” (lack of revenue) and what have we done to prepare besides raise some taxes ? Have we sent the  Knight’s Watch beyond the Wall while we fight amongst ourselves like they do in The Game of Thrones? Where will the alliances be made? Ahhh….

And the final part of this yarn. There are those fallen from grace that many, not as attuned to Botetourt County, do not know are no longer in power here (and from where I sit, I am not sure some of those fallen good old boys  have figured that out yet, neither). For example, two Republican chairs from a different viewpoint have now been elected in the party in so many years plus. For the folks who play in Richmond and Washington– that would be a good fact to keep in mind. The King has changed and you can bet there is someone looking for his elbow.

See you next week!

In Botetourt County, two of the three towns have newsletters. Here is a  copy of the Troutville Tidbits is best accessed by the Town of Troutville website! There are limited paper copies at Town Hall and other spots, but be green and paper free with a web hit!

The first car I owned was a '69 Chevelle and I earned the nickname, "Two Wheels Thomas." That old gal "Goldie Hawn" could flat out fly! My advice to my children --"Do as I say not as I did."

Hey It’s Terrific Tuesday again. How’s everything in you neck of the woods? This morning I was back in the court room. I covered courts in Fincastle for four years and well, it was an experience I will never forget.

In the scheme of things nothing ever surprised me after the initial shock of each courtroom wore off me. I cannot tell you how many times I wanted to grab my hair and run screaming from the court room, “My Momma did not raise me to hear stuff like this” or said to myself, “How can that guy right there on the witness stand bald face lie to Judge Campbell or Judge Trumbo like that?” Surely it was a recipe for disaster. Trumbo always smiled, luring them in like a cat to a bowl of cream. Then “Bam,”  he’d lower the boom. The man is a father of three and served in the General Assembly– he could smell the truth like a beagle on a rabbit trail.  I was in awe!

Kerry Campbell put them in jail religiously if the infractor  drove over 90 mph on I81. Saw many a Tech and Radford student come in with no lawyer and heard the Bailiff give them a speech on what was about to happen to them for that speed infraction. Pale is the best description of the kid after that. A night in the cross bar hotel cures many things.

This morning a whole host of new drivers got their permits. I didn’t know if I should be  happy or afraid. Judge Paul Tucker and Trooper Flowers spoke to the newbie drivers. No. 1. Wear your seat belt. As a Momma I think they missed no. 2 completely. SLOW DOWN! “Mario Andretti” also known as your son or daughter or mine, sigh, will likely have a speeding ticket before they learn that costly lesson or get hurt in a car accident. Their number 2 was “Do not text while you drive.” Good one for number 3 in my book. for their no. 3, Trooper Said, “Do not Drink and Drive. Underage drinking or DUI of any sort we will take your permit.” Good advice for any age driver.

Judge Tucker advised parents to use the  permit as a tool for reprimand as well. For the first time since the kiddo started thinking we were dumb in Middle School, we have something to hold like a carrot dangling on a stick. You goof up, off, slack, make bad grades, etc. Mom and Dad take the keys and permit. Ah yes. Life  goes on. Did you wonder if our ancestors used to hide the saddle 150 years ago?

So that was my most recent jaunt down to General District Court/JD Court. Like before it is a mixed bag to go there. Godspeed to all of these Younglings. May your Guardian Angels protect  you and the rest of us as you coast around Botetourt County and Beyond! Drive slow, don’t text, don’t drink and always wear your seat belt!

See ya next week!

DAYTON, Tenn. — Samuel Foster of Blue Ridge, was one of 73 students recognized during Bryan College’s 52nd annual Honors Day chapel April 23.

The Honors Day program rewards students for their academic achievement or contribution to the Bryan community. Awards include scholarships and cash gifts.

Samuel, son of Samuel and Melinda Foster, received the Senior Mathematics Award, presented for outstanding accomplishment in the major.

Bryan College is a Christian liberal arts college offering bachelor’s degrees in 20 areas and master’s degrees in business administration and Christian studies.

– Submitted by Bryan College

The Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Educational Foundation has scholarships available for current, qualified DSLCC students who have completed at least one year of study (minimum 24, maximum 45 credit hours) at DSLCC and plant to return to the college next fall to complete requirements for an associate degree or other program.

Available scholarships include Bubbles, Bands, and Brunch Scholarships, the Caperton Book Scholarship, Carolyn B. Nettleton Scholarships for Business, Elizabeth Cook Memorial Scholarships, and Richard W. Rusk Wind Energy Book Scholarships.

For details about individual scholarship requirements, pick up an application from the Educational Foundation Office, Room 104, Backels Hall, on the Clifton Forge Campus, the reception desk at the Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista, or access the Scholarships for Continuing Students Scholarship histories online by clicking here.

Applicants must reside in college service area and be eligible for in-state tuition, be a current, full-time student at DSLCC, have completed one year of study (minimum 24/maximum 45 credit hours) at DSLCC with a minimum GPA of 3.0, and be a full-time student during the academic year the scholarship is in force.

In addition to the thousands of dollars awarded in student scholarships each year, the Educational Foundation also assists the college with the purchase of state-of-the-art technological and classroom equipment and awards faculty study grants, which enable current, full-time faculty members to broaden and enhance their expertise and curricula.

Deadline for application is Wednesday, May 16. Contact Educational Foundation Director Lynda Thompson by phone at 862-2835 or by email at lthompson@dslcc.edu for more information. Visitors to the Educational Foundation’s website may fill out, print, and mail a completed application to the DSLCC Educational Foundation, P. O. Box 1000, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.

– Submitted by Lynda Thompson, Director, DSLCC Educational Foundation

Zach Ewen my youngest son, is a Senior at JRHS.

Hey there! It’s Terrific Tuesday again– how’s everything in your neck of the woods?

Lord willing and the creek don’t rise– my oh, my I will get to walk across the soccer field tonight with my son Zach. It will be the only time to do it with four kids as none of the others played sports through the Senior  year and the baby is “arts girl.” Tonight is Senior night. I am so happy I cannot say how much I am delighted. Yet– the end is so close and I know what it brings. This is my third child to graduate. As the old rock song goes, “We shall never pass this way again.”

On Friday I spent the day with him in Washington, DC and it will always be a highlight of my life. He was such a wild little boy.  We used two gates to keep him in his room at night when he was a toddler. He could vault out of a baby bed. He was like a caged tiger pacing around in there shaking the gates at 2 a.m. saying, “Wet me outta here.”  Preschool was boring to him and well he got into a lot of  things.  Some even suggested he was hyperactive.  He had two brushes with death in hospitals and  I just hoped he’d survive to adult hood. Once he got to real school and he learned so fast, the edge came off and the acceleration began. He wanted me to explain how the engine of a car worked. I had no idea.

In middle school he began to get into a lot of stuff again. I worried, but stayed on him like a duck on a June Bug. Want to keep a tween in line? Make him or her spend the  entire weekend with you and your spouse. Sitting on the couch between you, eating dinner at the table with you, doing things with you. Things like cleaning out barns, cleaning up the house, no treats, no cell phone, no Facebook,  just being with his parents.  Sticking with the whole week end made an impact.  It cured him quickly.

He has grown into a fine young man. He, like his Momma and Granddaddy Jack,  inherited the gift of gab and good sense of humor. We are pretty funny, at least have always thought so!  None of us ever met a stranger. At least as long as any of us is in a great mood. If we are in a bad mood, we are stinkers.

He was a Congressional Page last summer for Rep. Bob Goodlatte. In the last page class in history as it was eliminated.   Zach came back a different person. Always of a good heart and kind to his fellow man, he came back wanting to make a difference. He says he wants to be a vet, but I think the Lord has more in store for him. He didn’t play football this year after three years–one JV, two on varsity. He scored 74 points with his foot in two years on varsity and I have all the box scores from the two years, too. No matter. He approached his senior year on his own terms whether I liked it or not. No senior night in football for Mom. His choice. Good choice, son. He went to Japan with the Dynex exchange instead. There he met Shizuru who came to the US and stayed with us. Another wonderful life event. Shizuru rocked! The world from a different point of view agreed with him.

Shizuru and Zach at the end of the trail.

I believe in the days of texting and non face time, his public speaking skills will make him shine. He will be an exception rather than a rule. Last Sunday  a week ago, he preached at church. Last night he called  one of the men he spoke about. I helped him search the fellow out. (I am still smug about locating the guy when when no one else could.)

Senior night for me will be the opportunity to walk with a little boy grown into a man. Oh, the places he will go. Tonight is the beginning of the journey. The last home soccer game, the last high school sport. His future awaits. My husband and  I get to walk with him tonight. My cup runneth over!

See ya next week!

Friends of the Buchanan Library will be having their semi-annual book sale this weekend during the Civil War events. Here at the library on Friday 9-5 and Sat 9-1. We have received many book donations from the community and this sale has a little of everything. We also will be selling fresh from the bakery Krispy Krème doughnuts on Friday. Come early for the doughnuts, coffee and book sale.

A one-night workshop, “Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People”, to teach anyone the joy of playing the piano, will be held Tuesday, May 1, from 6 to 9:30 p.m., in Room 502, McCarthy Hall, on the Clifton Forge campus of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.
Students will learn enough chords and tricks of the trade to play any pop song, any style, any key, in just one session, according to instructor David Haynes, who has had more than 25 years of teaching experience. Students should be able to find middle “C” in order to take the workshop; however, anyone who do not have basic knowledge of a keyboard, or where middle “C” is,  may request a free pamphlet from the DSLCC non-credit coordinator by calling (540) 863-2863 or emailing jclark@dslcc.edu<mailto:jclark@dslcc.edu>.
Tuition is $50, payable to DSLCC, and the instructor will collect a materials fee of $25.
For more information or to register, contact the non-credit coordinator, at (540) 863-2863 or email jclark@dslcc.edu<mailto:jclark@dslcc.edu>.

Submitted by Judy Clark, Public Relations and  Non-Credit Coordinator Dabney S. Lancaster Community College

Potomac Riverboat – D.C. Train – Zoo – Monuments – Smithsonians – Bus  Trip
Date: Sat, Aug 4, 2012 – Sun, Aug 5, 2012 The Botetourt County Parks, Recreation and Tourism is sponsoring a bus trip to  our nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C., on Saturday-Sunday, August 4-5, 2012, by  train and bus.
DAY 1: The group will travel from  Roanoke to Lynchburg by motorcoach. In Lynchburg, they will board an Amtrak  train for a scenic excursion. The train goes through Charlottesville, Culpepper,  Manassas and Alexandria. It crosses the Potomac River and arrives at Union  Station, where you can eat lunch and visit the shops. After lunch, the group  will board the bus and go to the 163 acre National Zoo.
During the evening,  the group will visit the Airforce Memorial, the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial,  the Roosevelt Memorial, the World War II Memorial and the new Martin Luther King  Memorial.
DAY 2: You will visit the Smithsonian  Museums of your choice during the morning. In the afternoon, we travel to  Georgetown to board the Riverboat and cruise the Potomac River past Washington,  D.C., landmarks and monuments.
We arrive in  Alexandria.
The price per person of: $259 double;  $254 triple; $249 quad; and $299 single includes: Roundtrip motorcoach  transportation, 1 night’s lodging, breakfast at hotel, ticket for Potomac River  Cruise, sightseeing as listed and a tour host.
Passengers can board the bus at the Bonsack Walmart, Route 460, Roanoke; at  Westgate Shopping Center, Bedford; and at Sheetz, New London,  VA.
For further information, call (540) 473-8326 or  (540) 366-2888.

Motown Sound @ Wohlfahrt Haus – Bus Trip
Date:  Thu, Aug 9, 2012
The Botetourt County Parks,  Recreation and Tourism is sponsoring a bus trip to the matinee of The Motown  Sound at the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre, Wytheville, VA, on Thursday, August  9, 2012.
In the early 60′s, Detroit was on the  move… home to major auto makers and the newly formed Motown Records. This  exceptional tribute features the music of The Temptations, Gladys Knight, Tina  Turner, Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Four Tops and more. Take a journey  through time and relive what Berry Gordy coined “the sound of young America” and  made a city come alive.
So sit back and enjoy your favorite memories of  Motown.
Prior to the matinee, the group will feast  on an all inclusive sit down meal which will be served by the show  cast.
The price of $79 per person includes:  Roundtrip motorcoach transportation, an all inclusive sit down lunch, ticket to  “The Motown Sound” and a tour host.
Passengers can  board the bus at the Bonsack Walmart, Route 460, Roanoke; at Food Lion, Exit  137, Salem; and at Hardee’s, Exit 118, Christiansburg, VA.
For further information, call (540) 473-8326 or  (540) 366-2888.

The New Musical: David at Barter Theatre – Bus  Trip
Date: Sat, Aug 25, 2012
The Franklin County  Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a bus trip to the matinee of The New Musical:  David at the Barter Theatre, Abingdon, VA, on Saturday, August 25,  2012.
This inspiring story of courage and faith  traces the life of Israel’s great shepherd-turned-warrior-king: David. This  stirring new musical follows David’s journey from shepherd to singer to his  battle with the giant Goliath and then finally his path to the throne. With  original acoustic music, this epic tale of good and evil – fit for the whole  family – reminds us that wondrous things can happen when we have faith.
Prior to the show, the group will have lunch (on  their own) and enjoy Abingdon.
The price of $75 per person includes:  Roundtrip motorcoach transportation, matinee ticket to David: The New Musical at  the Barter Theatre and a tour host.
Passengers can  board the bus at Food Lion, Rocky Mount, VA; at Lowe’s, Route 220, Roanoke; at  Food Lion, Exit 137, Salem; at Hardee’s, Exit 118, Christiansburg; and at  McDonald’s, Exit 98, Dublin, VA.
For further  information, call (540) 483-9293 or (540)  366-2888.

Submitted by Ernie Dale

Joe Johnson is a true American Hero and now awarded the French Legion of Honor.

Hey it’s Terrific Tuesday again. How’s everything in your neck of the woods?  So far it has been a good week. We’ve had smoke over the mountain out our way yesterday and this morning my daughter remarked it smelled like Cracker Barrel outside. Ha! Not the food, but the fireplace…. Hopefully it will rain hard on the fires tomorrow.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Joe Johnson get his French Legion of Honor. What a great man. I have happily known Joe since I was a teenager. He is a a great man, I repeat, now in the company of many other famous and great people honored over 200 years. His came because he helped liberate a country from Nazi tyranny in June 1944. Did you know about 59,000 military died in the Viet Nam War and over 52,000 American flyers died in WWII?  Just so you know what a dangerous time it was to be up in an aircraft. Johnson flew 65 missions in a B-26.

It will be few and far between the people any of us will ever see  from our area get such an award. I am so glad I could. Hundreds turned out over two days on Sunday to his reception, open to the public, at Fincastle UMC and on Monday at The Glebe where he received the Legion of  Honor. A glorious turnout.  But someone was missing in a glaring way. If  I missed you I apologize, but I was looking at my pics of two days. Here it comes.

I have a bone to pick. I was hugely and sadly surprised by the lack of elected officials and county higher ups  who didn’t show  for Joe Johnson. They had two days to do it, too.  Only Jack Leffel, John Alderson and Del. Lacey Putney  I saw at either event. Two judges came and one Lieutenant from the Sheriff’s Department. Retired Treasurer Benton Bolton came out.  The event yesterday was over in 30 minutes or less. You had two hours to drop by on Sunday at the reception for him.

I admonish you the high and mighty–”You can do better than this.” I see you at business openings, ball games, political functions and  events for your kind, etc. But a citizen of this county is honored  with a prestigious international  award and you were nowhere to be seen.  A war hero nonetheless. Makes me wonder what you think of the regular citizens of this county except as a tax base.  You don’t mind making big cuts to the things every day people use and yet you don’t scrutinize yourselves nearly so well as I sees it, and I calls it as I sees it.

It isn’t like there hasn’t been plenty of press about the whole affair.

So there, I’ve said it. Take issue with me the next time you see me and I am going to wave the flag in your face. An American war hero received an international award for bravery and risking his life for others in a war against tyranny. Where the heck were you??? “You shoulda and you didn’t. Shame on you! I think one of those “where as”  proclamations  by the Board of Supervisors is in order. Call yours, readers, if you agree.

Send Col. Joe Johnson a card to:

Col. Joseph Johnson, USAF, Ret., c/o Fincastle United Methodist Church, PO Box 63, Fincastle VA 24090.

See ya next week!