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Here are some photos of the James River High School band in the Veteran's Day parade in New York.

Submitted by Will Divers, band director.

We posted other photos of the band in New York on Nov. 18.

This is a picture from last Saturday's light hanging event in Fincastle.  We had a great turnout, and got the lights up in record time!  Donations for bulbs and ongoing maintenance are appreciated, and can be sent to the Society to Keep Fincastle Lit, P.O. Box 250, Fincastle VA.  24090.  The attached picture includes volunteers Jason Sorrells of nTelos, Richard Thomasson of APCO, Ed Bordett, Jill Tucker and Wyatt Smith at work keeping Fincastle lit!

Submitted by Mary Bess Smith.

On the way up 220 on Sunday, Nov. 15, I encountered some pretty whimsical looking fog as well as a hot air balloon.

Submitted by Miranda Adkins

You can view Miranda's photos in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

Do you have news or photos involving Botetourt? You can share at news@botetourtview.com.

On November 14, Nosco Mechanicus, a local robotics team, won 1st place Overall Champion and 2nd Place Robot Performance in the older division at the Lynchburg Regional Tournament. They are advancing to the State Championship Tournament, which will be held December 5 and 6 at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. This was no easy victory, as 18 other teams in the older division also competed for the award.
Nosco Mechanicus is a small homeschool FIRST LEGO League robotics team located in Daleville, VA. The team consists of Andrew Norton, James Depret-Guillaume, Josiah Sprankle, and David Norton. Cari and Patrick Norton are the team’s coaches. They have been working since September 3, when FIRST LEGO League released the 2009 Smart Move Challenge. More information about this team can be found at their website, www.RoboDesigners.com, created by the team’s oldest member, Andrew Norton.
FIRST LEGO League (FLL) is an organization that encourages children ages 9-14 to become interested in science and technology through competition. Teams build and program robots using the LEGO Mindstorms NXT to complete various missions to score points on an 8’x4’ board. Teams also prepare a research presentation about a specified topic; this year’s topic was transportation. All the preparation leads up to the tournament day, when teams demonstrate what they have learned. This program builds life skills, such as problem solving, time management, and public speaking.
The Scream Team from Chatham, VA came in second place in the older division and the Central Academy Middle School RoboPatriots from Fincastle, VA won first place in the younger division. Thirty-one teams participated in the tournament, making it the largest FLL regional tournament in Virginia.

Submitted by Cari Norton, Coach, Nosco Mechanicus.

These pictures were submitted to us by  Det. G.B. Ford, Prescription Fraud, Roanoke City Police Dept. Ford says "The first picture is the kids at the school getting ready for a competition. The second picture is the kids at a competition in Forest, Va. that was held on 11-14-09. They received 1st Place in their age group and will be going to the Lego League State competition on 120509 to compete. The kids on the Lego League Team are Brooklyn Ford, Dylan Hickcock, Michaela Tolley, Landon Horton, Luke Jasper, Luke Martin, Kaitlyn Simmons, Amelia Westland and Davis Fenster."

Thanks G.B. Ford!

This is Wyatt Austin, he killed his first deer on Nov. 14. 2009 in Fincastle, VA.  He was so proud of his button buck, now he wants a 30-30 of his very own.

Submitted by Marge Crowder, proud Grandmother.

Angela Durham sent us this photo of 14-year-old Storm Durham with a 6-point muzzleloader deer. The deer was harvested on private land in Fincastle.

Thanks, Angela!

Volunteer Keith Haley, DDS and Jenny Daniels in the Dental Clinic at the Christian Free- Clinic of Botetourt

The plans have been there almost since the beginning to get free dental care added to the free health care the Christian Free-Clinic of Botetourt has for the working poor of Botetourt County. Last Sunday November 15, the prayers have been answered.  The Christian Free- Clinic of Botetourt dedicated the new dental trailer. It is a mission of love for their fellow man that spurred on the volunteer work of three local dentists and ten more who have signed on to help.

Keith Haley, DDS of Torutville is an amiable man who is part of the three dentists included in the core, who are also Richard Smith, DDS and Ken George,DDS. The clinic is open on Tuesday evenings beginning at 5 p.m. for sign in.

Haley gives much credit to CFCB director, Jenny Daniels . "Jenny does a remarkable  job for a supposedly part-time position. She has the perfect temperment for handling volunteers. She deserves a super amount of credit as does Dr. Bob Allen. They make things happen."

The trailer is an old state owned trailer formerly located at Buchanan Elementary School. Many have helped move the trailer and get the clinic set-up at the CFCB site at Fincastle Baptist Church. This is an adults only site for dentistry as children can get dental care through other organizations, noted Daniels.

Some of the others in the dental community who have donated instruments and monetarily and with supplies are Jack Higgins, DDS, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Fred Coots, III DDS and Hu-Friedy, Inc. "The response form the dental community has been generous with time and expertise as well," said Daniels.

Ten dental hygienists and technicians are also volunteering along with the 13 dentists. "The whole dental community seems to have embraced the idea," said Haley.

They know the need is there as the CFCB has had a weekly amount of folks calling to see if they offered  dental services. They hope the future will be bright for the Clinic and patients. On the first night of operation the dentists filled the Clinic's two chairs with 11 patients. "Dental work is expensive and we just have to keep up donations," said Daniels.

To make a contribution before year end send checks to Christian Free Clinic of Botetourt earmarked dental.

PO Box 890

Daleville, Virginia  24083

Here are 2 pictures from our Brownie meeting on November 17th at St. Mark's Methodist church.

Brownie Troop 1203 earns their Lt's Pretend Try-it Badge.  The girls got the chance to use their imagination and create outfits out of toilet paper.  The design process was followed by a glamorous fashion show.  The girls had a blast using a simple roll of toilet paper and their creativity.

The top photo is of Megan Bowling, Lauren Rakes, and Anna Beth Bowman.

The bottom photo is of Lauren Hoffman, Brenna Alls, and Kenleigh Gunter.

Submitted by Mary Lynn Bowman, Troop 1203 mom.

Botetourt County artist Helen Hubler has informed me that she's loaned several of her paintings (including the one above and below) to Roanoke's Star City Playhouse to be part of the stage set for the company's next production, "Class Acts: Three One Act Plays."

Arts writer Mike Allen has more details on his Arts & Extras blog.