July 4, 2008Nichols has had Bicentennial license plate since 1976 On this July 4th Rachel Nichols proudly displays the license plate on her car-a 1976 bicentennial tag with the seal of Virginia. She got it in the fall of 1976 and put it on her brand new 1977 Ford T-Bird purchased from Webby Booze at Buchanan Motor Company. The plate has been on her successive five cars since. Though the plate is crackled, she has yet to give in to letters from the DMV asking her if she is ready to trade the tag for a new model. She may have some kind of record-- the tag has been on one of her vehicles for 32 years!
July 3, 2008Pool Patrol visits Read Mountain Swim Club Katelyn McDaniel, our summer intern and Pool Patrol photographer, dropped by Read Mountain Swim Club recently. Among those she found there were: Rachel Simpson, 12, Allyson McClellan, 7, Emily McClellan, 9, Haley Davis, 8, Jordan Oyler, 12. We have more photos from Read Mountain Swim Club right here. Earlier in the summer, Katelyn visited Limestone Park in Buchanan. For those photos, click here. Do you have a suggestion on where we should visit next? Email us at news@botetourtview.com Photos by Katelyn McDaniel June 30, 2008Smart car an unusual sight in Botetourt Jim Dixon who works for Botetourt County Public Schools in IT drives a Smart car. It's the itty -bitty blue car tooling off I-81 at exit 150 Monday through Friday. It is economical. Dixon says it will save him $125 per month in gas and it was relatively cheap. The Smart cars are sold out of Winston Salem, North Carolina and begin at $13,500. His has additional features-- satellite radio, sunroof and heated seats.The 1 litre, 3 cyclinder engine has a combo automatic/straight shift transmission and no clutch. The car gets about 50 miles per gallon on the highway and about 40 around town. Inside it is amazingly roomy for a two seater car. Continue reading "Smart car an unusual sight in Botetourt" » June 27, 2008Lord Botetourt student has art displayed at U.S. Capitol Lord Botetourt High School student Nick Weirup has won a district-wide art competition sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, and now has his winning painting displayed at the U.S. Capitol. The painting -- "The Girl Behind the Barn Door" -- is the one above Weirup and Goodlatte in this photo. For a close-up, plus a look at artwork from other congressional districts, click here and follow the link to Virginia. The press release from Goodlatte's office on the contest follows: Continue reading "Lord Botetourt student has art displayed at U.S. Capitol" » June 26, 2008What are you doing for the 4th of July? That's what we asked 11 Botetourt residents. You can check 'em out in our photo gallery. Lauren Coleman (left) said she always goes to the fireworks at Breckenridge Elementary in Fincastle: "It's not a bunch of people. It's more like a small community event." Others we talked to were: Katie Jones, Chris Hoy, Mikayla and Hannah Palmer, Paige Klasing, Brenda McClean, Kelly Bailey, Deborah Carter, Bob Fagg, Vernon Webb. So what are you doing? Click "comments" below! June 24, 2008Photos of Botetourt contestant in the Miss Virginia pageant The Miss Virginia pageant got underway Monday night -- well, the festivities anyway, the actual competition won't begin until Thursday night. One of the contestants this year is Madison VanDuyne of Fincastle -- and also Miss Apple Blossom Festival. Here she is at an opening night dance; that's Bootie Chewning, the pageant president on the right. Below is another photo from Monday's events. We had a previous post about Madison VanDuyne on June 17 -- with a link to a "people's choice" contest the pageant is running, so you can click and maybe pick her to make the final round on Saturday night. Photos by Josh Meltzer Continue reading "Photos of Botetourt contestant in the Miss Virginia pageant" » June 19, 2008James River grad tours with world-beat band Folks with James River High School may remember Debrissa McKinney, who graduated a few years back. Well, now she's joined an Asheville, N.C.-based world-beat band and is touring the country playing saxophone (and sometimes singing) with Laura Reed and Deep Pocket. Even better, the band will be playing up in Floyd County on June 27 at the Sun Music Hall, so any of her friends and fans can say hello there. Showtime is 8 p.m.; other details on the venue's website. That's the band in the picture. Debrissa is on the back right. The band's official website has this to say about its newest member: The Masta Harmoniza brings light, love and a friendly disposition to the Deep Pocket. Hailing from the mountains of Virginia, this creature is quite the versatile musician. She plays the Tenor Sax, and friends can testify that her wackily, extraordinary, “offie-the-wallie” personality will touch the world. For more on the band, a press release from the promoter is below: Continue reading "James River grad tours with world-beat band" » Photos of Botetourt fans at Roanoke's Movie in the Park Surf's Up! Or at least it was last Friday night -- June 13 -- at Roanoke's Elmwood Park, for a screening of the movie "Surf's Up" as part of Roanoke's movies in the park series. Our paparazzi photo crew snapped pictures of several people from Botetourt County. At left, Madison, Alison, and Megan Hinkley of Blue Ridge. Megan and Madison must have a thing for the camera, because we also have a photo of them with Rachael Grub, as well. We also have photos of Ethan, Noah, and Maggie Stickler plus Grant Floyd and Catherine Settle. For the complete gallery, click here. June 17, 2008Cheryl Lunsford and students to play Thursday at Brambleton Blend If you watch to catch Fincastle guitarist Cheryl Lunsford, she'll be playing this Thursday night (June 19) at Brambleton Blend, a new coffee shop on Brambleton Avenue in Roanoke. Bonus: Some of her Botetourt students will be joining her. Cheryl and friends start playing at 7 p.m. Daleville man hauls in big fish on the JamesAnd we do mean big. Sean Snyder of Daleville pulled in a 29-pound muskie. The thing looks like a small version of the Loch Ness monster. To see a photo of Snyder and his catch, plus more details, check out Mark Taylor's Wild Life blog. Do you have a big fish story (and photo) from Botetourt? If so, you can share it at news@botetourtview.com Fincastle's Van Duyne is Miss Apple Blossom Festival Madison VanDuyne of Fincastle will be competing for the title of Miss Virginia in Roanoke, June 26 – 28th. VanDuyne is the daughter of Dale and Kathryn Beard of Fincastle, and Jon VanDuyne of Atlanta, Georgia. She is a 2005 graduate of Lord Botetourt High Schools and currently is a Dean’s List student at Virginia Tech, finishing her Junior year with a 3.67 GPA. VanDuyne holds the title of Virginia’s Miss Apple Blossom Fesitval. She has completed over 400 hours of community service. Her platform is “Character Education” and she has been a guest speaker at numerous schools including Read Mountain Middle School. Community members can support Miss VanDuyne by going on-line and voting for her at www.hostspring.com/poll.htm where the “people’s choice” candidate will have the opportunity to compete in the “Top Eleven” on the final night of the pageant.
June 12, 2008Hunter Monk gets Q-99 three wishes Hunter Monk is the grandson of Faye and Leslie Hambrick of Buchanan and he has leukemia for the second time in his 8 years. On Monday June 9, he received three wishes from Radio Station Q-99. Hunter with his parents and members of the Q-99 Dick and Dave Show on Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. Submitted photo by Faye Hambrick. June 11, 2008Four generations in one photo
Another tribute to Johnny Carson James B. Way has a tribute to the late Johnny Carson on today's opinion page of The Roanoke Times. Headline: "A hero passes in Buchanan." Here's a link to Way's item about the beloved captain of the Buchanan rescue squad -- and here's a link to our previous story on Carson's passing, which has a number of reader comments at the end. June 10, 2008Photos of Botetourt fans at Salem Avalanche game Our paparazzi photo crew was at the Salem Avalanche game on Sunday and who should they find but a bunch of people from Botetourt County. At left is the Pannell family. But we also have photos of Hunter Argabright (in his Cloverdale Titans uniform), David Granthan, Dylan and Justin Jenkins, Alan and Randy Watts and, finally, Suzanne D'Angelico, Joseph Hunsicker, Kyle Haley, Benton Hunsicker and Kevin Haley. If that's not enough, you can check out the entire gallery of Avalanche fans, whether they're from Botetourt or not. See anyone you recognize? If so, let 'em know you saw 'em on The Botetourt View! Deb Huff honored at Greenfield Elementary Deb Huff retires from Greenfield Elementary School tomorrow. The school honored her and her years of wearing many hats (and we mean many hats) by dedicating the school year book to her. Huff plans to relax and smell the roses for a while after retirement. Our last post about Greenfield Elementary was June 9. June 9, 2008Up, up and away from radiation treatment for Allyson! Allyson McClellan -- featured in the Botetourt View a couple of weeks ago -- is finished with radiation treatments but still taking chemotherapy treatments. To celebrate finishing radiation, several groups and individuals donated a ride on Endeavor balloonendeavorballons,com so the young cancer patient and her family could have a ride at sunrise on Saturday, June 7. Allyson prepares to release the directional balloon prior to her flight on Saturday. Continue reading "Up, up and away from radiation treatment for Allyson!" » June 6, 2008Prince and Beauty find a home These two lucky cats have a new home. Prince and Beauty two beautiful sibling cats belonged to Eileen Montgomery of Cloverdale a long time resident. When she moved to the Glebe she could not take them with her. Her friends Pete McKnight of Blue Ridge and his family stepped in to help them find a home. Fincastle man builds "green" house in Southwest Roanoke County We're accustomed to people moving into Botetourt County, but not so many move out. But Ross Laguzza of Fincastle is. He's building a "green" house in Southwest Roanoke County, and we have a story about it over on our Southwest Roanoke County community news site. You may recognize Ross from his appearances over the years on stage with Attic Productions, the community theater group in Botetourt. He's currently playing in "The Curious Savage," which continues tonight and Saturday. You can see a photo of Ross attempting to play the violin here. He's also a member of the Big Lick Conspiracy comedy improv troupe which often performs at Mill Mountain Theatre. June 3, 2008Boy Scout leader Steve Pappas gets award Steve Pappas received his award from Jared Rigby, Catawba District Executive, and some info on Steve’s scoutmaster award.
Continue reading "Boy Scout leader Steve Pappas gets award" » June 2, 2008Why all the helicopters around Eagle Rock? Susan Owen of Eagle Rock helps answer that question, by sending us this report: Large helicopters swooped down the James River and surprised many Eagle Rock residents on Saturday, May 31st. One person watched with fascination as the helicopters appeared in the gap beside Crawford Mountain and the river, then disappeared toward Gala. Others watched as some helicopters followed the route of Craig Creek. Another person, while crossing the James River bridge to Eagle Rock, was surprised to see one almost at bridge level over the river. But the small town was not being invaded. The large helicopters were part of the U.S. Air Force, practicing mountain-flying maneuvers. Several of the Sikorsky MH53M Pave Low helicopters arrived in Roanoke last week in preparation for the maneuvers. Photo: Georgia Knighton, Linwood Stull, Larry Knighton. Continue reading "Why all the helicopters around Eagle Rock?" » Video: Inspired by Angela Tincher
Photo: Buchanan Battitudes player Raven Carden (center) balances a bat before Thursday's game in Cloverdale. Photo by Jared Soares. May 30, 2008Webcast: Tincher is 95 percent of Tech's success Sportswriters Doug Doughty and Randy King have a lot to say about Angela Tincher -- James River High School grad and now Virginia Tech softball star -- on this week's Sports TimesCast, our weekly college sports webcast. Randy says she's responsible for probably 95 percent of Tech's success this year. Tech's next game in the College World Series is Saturday at noon. If you can't catch it on ESPN, you can get updates Saturday on our Pressbox sports blog. Check it today and you'll find two posts from yesterday's first round, which Tech lost 1-0. Our last post about Tincher was May 17. May 29, 2008Troutville Cub Scouts take memorable trip to Philadelphia Cub Scout Packs 82 & 137 from Troutville shared an incredible Memorial Day Experience -- they camped out at the second most haunted site in America and slept on the most decorated battleship in US naval history! Continue reading "Troutville Cub Scouts take memorable trip to Philadelphia" » May 28, 2008The Class of ‘08 shout-out begins! Awhile back, we asked graduating high school seniors from Botetourt County to write their own graduation blurb and we’d use it -- and a photo -- in an upcoming issue of The Botetourt View. We’d like to say congrats to Greer Sullivan of James River High School, who was the first to respond, so we’d like to share: Greer Sullivan has been accepted by early decision into the College of Biological Science at Virginia Tech, where she will study pre-pharmacy. If you’re a graduating senior from Botetourt County, send us your blurb -- your favorite part of high school, what you’ll be doing next, and a photo -- to news@botetourtview.com and we’ll use it in an upcoming issue. 4H Club visits Wildlife Refuge The Fincastle 4-H Community Club recently visited Roanoke Wildlife Rescue. Club members learned many interesting and useful facts about wild animals in our area, including how to determine if an animal is truly orphaned, whom to call and what to do if they discover a wild animal in need. The club wishes to thank all the volunteers at Roanoke Wildlife Rescue and especially director Dorothy Runion for granting them this unique opportunity. Shown here are club members Jordyn Duffy, Anastasia Donnini, Collin Anderson, Alex Wolfe, Emily Duffy, Rescue volunteer Laurie Wallace, Valentina Donnini and Laura Anderson. The club would love to welcome any interested youth aged 9 through 18. For more information, please contact Glenda Snyder at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Office at 473-8260. May 23, 2008Matt Ramsey plays at Buchanan Theatre on Saturday Matt Ramsey, a former Buchanan resident who is now a songwriter in Nashville, returns home this weekend for an acoustic set at The Bucahanan Theatre. He's had a nice run lately, writing songs with Phil Vassar and Maureen McCormick (TV's Marcia Brady) -- the latter for the CMT reality show "Gone Country." Details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Buchanan Theatre, 19778 Main St., Buchanan. $10. -- Tad Dickens We had a previous post about Matt Ramsey on April 17 -- and music writer Tad Dickens had stories about him on March 7 and April 18. Photo by Ron Jaffe. May 22, 2008Run for the Wall rolls through Botetourt County For the past twenty years veterans have been riding motorcycles across the United States to arrive on Memorial Day weekend in Washington, DC. For the past 7 years they have come through Botetourt and gassed up -- the past five at the Cloverdale Stop-in on Alt. 220 the Cloverdale Road. Continue reading "Run for the Wall rolls through Botetourt County" » May 21, 2008Photo of Sherrie Andrews' piano students Sherrie Andrews of Daleville presented her piano students in their spring recital on Sunday, May 18th, at Bonsack United Methodist Church. Students performing included David George, Jaclyn George, Mark George, Nick George, Alexis Holland, Asia Holland, Russell Killian, Elyssa McMaster, Honor Mealey, Cathy Moniot, Jessica Powell, Lauren Rakes, Jenna Reed, Jill Tucker Continue reading "Photo of Sherrie Andrews' piano students" » May 17, 2008James River grad Tincher leads Tech to regional finals If you're keeping up with James River High School grad Angela Tincher -- now a star pitcher for Virginia Tech's softball team -- well, here's the latest: Today, she pitched a three-hitter, as Tech won. Now the Hokies advance to Sunday's finals. Our last post about Angela Tincher was May 12. Sportswriter Mark Berman has more on today's game here -- and more on yesterday's game here. Photo by Dave Knachel. May 16, 2008Live Green! Genevieve Goss offers tips for green livingGenevieve Goss of the Valley Conservation Council offered these tips at her talk on Living Green at the Fincastle Library on May 15. Accompanied by reps from the Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition, she gave information -- and CFL light bulbs that use 25 per cent of the energy an an incandescent bulb uses and lasts longer, too. Continue reading "Live Green! Genevieve Goss offers tips for green living" » May 14, 2008Blue Ridge woman authors book on health Teresa Holler of Blue Ridge has written a book, "Holler for your Health: Be the Key to a Healthy Family," which she says every one needs to read about hazardous chemical exposure and health.She's also calling it "The Give Big Book Tour" as she is giving part of the profits to Blue Ridge Autism School. Continue reading "Blue Ridge woman authors book on health" » May 12, 2008Malanie Jones of Fincastle honored for her years of church attendance Malanie Jones honored as long time member of First Baptist Church of Fincastle and here she keeps company with Cathy Johnson of Troutville at County Wide League's Fun day. Continue reading "Malanie Jones of Fincastle honored for her years of church attendance" » Tincher leads Tech to title, wins Most Valuable Player award
The full story is on our sports page. Our last post about Angela Tincher was May 5. Photo courtesy of Tony Coats/theACC.com May 10, 2008South Carolina's Hayden Averill visited her grandparents Ray and Sandy Sprinkle
Hayden Averill meets one of Charles Compton's goats in Troutville! Continue reading "South Carolina's Hayden Averill visited her grandparents Ray and Sandy Sprinkle" » May 8, 2008Duck! Photos of Botetourt folks at Duck Derby Judging by the photos our paparazzi photo crew took, it seems most of the folks at the Great American Duck Derby last weekend in Roanoke were from Botetourt County. This is the Collins family from Botetourt you see here (sorry, we didn't get their full names.) But we also have photos of Tyler Westerhold, Kaitlyn Westerhold, Kaitlyn Westerhold with her friend Sarabeth Hammond of Roanoke, Charles Levier, Sara Wloczewski with her friend, Sophia Hammond of Roanoke County, Bailey and Emily Wilson, and Connor Wilson, with Jay Morris of Roanoke County. For the full gallery, click here. The Duck Derby, the way, was a fund-raiser for the Junior League of Roanoke Valley and involved rubber duckies racing down the Roanoke River. |
