Kristen Ann Blanchard
Allison Grace Bridges
Abigail Hope Frame
Calyn Marie Grandy
Cassi Marie Meador
Bridgett Jacqueline Oliver
Steven Alec Meier
Hannah Nicole Thacker

National Technical Honor Society

Rebecca Nicole Altizer
Brandon Michael Barbour
Kristen Ann Blanchard
Whitney Nicole Bolton
Allison Grace Bridges
Zachary Justice Dove
Allison Lee Frantz
Rebecca Jo Grooten
Thomas Nolan Hale
Jacob Andrew Hylton
Melanie Nancy Martey
Bridgett Jacqueline Oliver
Elizabeth Marie Rhodes
Devon Allen Roatenberry
Robert  Hawthorne Seay III
Daniel Cole Smith

SkillsUSA State Winners to Compete for the National Title in Kansas City this Summer

Bridgett Oliver – (Craig County) – Nurse Assisting – 1st Place in the State
Allison Bridges – First Aid / CPR – 2nd Place in the State

Scholarship Recipients

Kiwanis
Bridgett Jacqueline Oliver  (Craig County)

Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Dianne Powell

Jackson Crawford and Damon Williams with MVP trophy.

Eight year old Jackson Crawford of Botetourt won an MVP at Twin Hoops Basketball Camp held in Roanoke at William Fleming High School. He is pictured with with Damon Williams getting his MVP trophy.  He also won three pointt, one on one, free throw, shoot out and 5 on 5 championships. He brought home six trophies in all.

Submitted by Crawford Family

Lynn Park and instructor Lenora Turner. Photo courtesy of Jason Cohen

Lynn Park, 9, of Daleville, performed her second piano recital on Sunday, May 19 at The Blue Ridge Academy of Music’s Recital Hall & Theatre.  Her audience was delighted with the program she played, including challenging works by Beethoven and J.S. Bach, as well as popular hits from the musical “Annie”.  To round out her program, Lynn performed several pieces from a variety of sources, including a lively Tarantella and also a Jig!  She is shown here with her instructor, Lenora Turner, at the conclusion of her performance.

– Submitted by Jason Cohen, The Blue Ridge Academy of Music

• Meredith London of Eagle Rock
• Lauren Hall of Eagle Rock
• Matthew Huber of Blue Ridge
• Erich Lang of Troutville
• Erica Nordgren of Troutville
• Kyle Schwizer of Troutville

And the following Botetourt students graduated with honors:

Amelia Cassell of Fincastle
Schuyler Nash of Troutville

James Madison University offers each student a future of significance – not an education of mere prestige, but an extraordinary education of exceptional scholarship, inventive thinking, unparalleled attention to the world community, a university-wide enthusiasm for teaching, and a commitment to student success.

– Submitted by James Madison University

Submitted by Vicki Eubank

Founded in 1842, Mary Baldwin College is a diverse institution that transforms lives through personalized education, innovatively integrating liberal arts, experiential learning, civic engagement, and global citizenship. At the undergraduate level, the College for Women serves about 800 students on the historic main campus in downtown Staunton, Virginia, and the Adult Degree Program serves both men and women on campus and at regional centers throughout Virginia. A top-ranked master’s level university, MBC also offers co-educational graduate programs in teacher education and Shakespeare and Performance. U.S. News & World Report named MBC a top-tier master’s university in the South and Washington Monthly ranked the college No. 8 among all master’s level universities in the country.

– Submitted by Mary Baldwin College

Miette Veldman. Photo courtesy of Gerhard Veldman

Miette Veldman. Photo courtesy of Gerhard Veldman

Miëtte Veldman plays for the Greenfield Flash at the Botetourt Sports Complex.

– Submitted by Gerhard Veldman

The Town of Buchanan has been busily preparing for the 60th annual carnival conducted the previous 59 years by the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department. In January, the town assumed the now defunct incorporated BVFD activities with the carnival. It has been renamed the Buchanan Community Carnival because, “It is a community event that reaches across the county and into other localities as well, ” said Mayor Larry Hall. He along with Town Improvement Manager Harry Gleason and Carnival Committee Chairman Cletus Newcomb, described the upcoming carnival preparations. Indeed the hours of time expended are evident in the accomplishments of the committee. Many people and businesses have contributed to the efforts of the carnival preparation.

“We have over 200 volunteers ready to help with the week long event which takes place from June 27- July 6 on the carnival grounds on Lowe street in the heart of Buchanan.” said Hall. It is closed on Sunday, June 30th.

Cole Rides will provide the amusements rides and the town will man the french fry and food stands that are so popular with the visitors. The Midway will open nightly at 6:30 p.m. Chili Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Fries with vinegar and  for dessert ice cream treats are among the food staples offered.

“Along the lines of upgrades and updates, much has been done since January including building, electrical, health and food safety improvements and painting, too. “The Ladies room has some fixture upgrades,”  Newcomb noted. “The French friers and hamburger have new hoods, cleaned and spruced up stands fill the bill for the safety and health concerns.” Even the yellow lights over the walking area are encased in safety cages. “We will have state of the art  weather reports from Twin Rivers Outfitters so no chances will be taken. People will be told to go to their cars or home if weather is a problem, “said Hall recalling last year’s Derecho.

Every school child in Botetourt took home a “five dollar off ” unlimited ride coupon in backpacks on the last few days of school. The Town is also offering an unlimited ride ticket for advanced ticket sales that will be only $17 if purchased by credit card by phone or dropping by the Town Office. The number to call is 254-1212.Advanced sales  are through June 27th.

“Games operated by our volunteers with better stuffed animals are also on tap,” said Newcomb.

Raffle tickets are also on sale for daily big prizes including cash, a gift card, a  pair of gas grills, a riding lawn mower and the top prize is $5,000 on the last night. The Town offices and local businesses like Buchanan Stop In, Bank of Botetourt branches and committee members.

Bands performing are another big item for the yearly Carnival. Here is the schedule of performers this year. Burning Bridges, June 27; Glenn Shelton, June 28; Justified, June 29 and Rebels of Rhythm Cloggers ,June 30 Closed; Moonshine Express, July 1, True Cadence, July 2; Virginia Carolina and New Corner Grocery Gang with High Voltages Cloggers July 3; Seven Mile Ford, July 4; Diamond Back, July 5th; Jason Harris and Friends and Rebels of Rhythm Cloggers, July 6th. Be sure to bring lawn chairs!

Fire Chiefs and Captains from over the years will be honored during the 60th anniversary Carnival this year. ( More to follow) The annual 4th of July Parade  at 5 and fireworks at 10 p.m.will also take place on July 4.

On three days including two Saturdays, new events for the daytime have been added:

June 29  at 4 p.m. there will be a demonstration of Fireman’s Skills on the carnival grounds beginning at 4 p.m.

July 4 th  the first annual Canoe and Kayak Race will be held at 2:30 p.m. for a 6 mile race to Arcadia. Twin Outfitters has partnered with the town for the event. Call 254-1212 04 540-261-7334 toregister in advance. Cost is $10 with own river vehicles or rent for $25 for a Kayak and $50 for a canoe. Registration online is www.canoevirginia.net.

July 6 Community Carnival Corn Hole Competition at 2 p.m. on the Carnival grounds. $5 per person -$10 per team. Prizes will be awarded.

Santiago Rodriguez, his parents Mirla and Jose Santiago and his grandmother from Venezuela. Photo courtesy of Jason Cohen

Santiago Rodriguez, 7, of Daleville, performed his second piano recital at The Blue Ridge Academy of Music’s Recital Hall and Theatre on Sunday, June 9.  His audience enjoyed his 30-minute performance which included several challenging pieces played flawlessly.  Santiago introduced every piece himself, explaining why he chose it to be included in his program.  Here he is at the conclusion of his recital with his parents, Mirla and Jose Santiago, and his abuela Sra. Rodriguez, who was visiting all the way from Venezuela.

– Submitted by Jason Cohen, The Blue Ridge Academy of Music

The photo that Steven N. Nicely, Jr of Northern Botetourt won first place in the Fx2 photography contest  is of the Nickel Plate 765 Steam Locomotive. “It is one of the two steam locomotives that have been running special excursions in VA, TN, PA , WVA and NC with the Norfolk Southern Rail Road. Steven took this photo while chasing it in Williamson, WVA, ” said his friend and fellow photographer DeeDee Bruce. He also won an Honorable Mention in another photo.

The subject of the photo, the 765 Steam Locomotive is a WWII era train and is used on excursions. It is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana and retired from N&W service in 1958.

An artist reception was held on Monday, June 17, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. DeeDee Bruce of Eagle Rock also has  several of her works in the show including an outstanding portrait of Louis K. “Kerry” Campbell, a retired General District Court Judge in Botetourt.

For more information on the Fx2 contest contact Chuck Almarez kidpix2000@ntelos.net.

The show continues at The Alleghany Arts Center in downtown Clifton Forge.

Alleghany Highlands Arts Center

Hours Monday – Sat  10:30a.m – 4:30 p.m.

LOCATION:  

From the website. “We are in Virginia’s  scenic Western Highlands, in the heart of  downtown Clifton Forge, VA, near the intersections of I-64 and Rte 220. The Arts and Crafts Center is next to Vic’s Italian American Restaurant, across from True Value Hardware. SonaBank is diagonally across from us; there is a handicapped parking space at the stop light in front of the building.”