www.roanoke.com

Annabelle is a border collie/hound mix that Jay Moore of Fincastle adopted from the League of Animal Protection in February. " I saw her picture and thought, "Why not?" said Moore, a CPA. He contacted the LAP to find she had been placed. Luck was on his side, but mostly on Annabelle's side. The family returned her to the LAP and director Pat Shaver. Moore saw the dog pictured again and started the adoption process.

If a dog that loves to run could pick a perfect home, Moore's farm would be the nearest to perfect, a little stream, woods, open fields and far enough from the road not to be dangerous and an owner who adores the animal!

Instead of spending the day in a crate while owners were at work and school, Annabelle came to a large beautiful farm. "Pat gave me quite the adoption interview," said Moore with a smile. "As well as she should so the dog finds a good home."

Lately Annabelle has been playing chase with a doe on the farm. One evening as Moore worked on an old summer kitchen behind his historic home, the deer came racing by with Annabelle hot on her heels. Then the tide turned in the yard and the deer chased Annabelle past him!

"They have almost touched noses at one time," he laughed. Moore owns horses and when he lets them out in the field to race around, Annabelle runs with them. "They seem to accept her," he stated.

Anabelle goes to work with Moore every day and the office staff enjoys having her there he said. She likes to ride in the vehicle with him--in the back seat. She stays very close to him and as he travels to the barn, she is hot on his heels.

Annabelle is a great comapnion. For more information on adoption, contact Shaver at the LAP 473-3853.

Here's the adoption fee schedule:

Dogs/Pups, spayed/neutered and current on vaccines - $90
Pups*, current on vaccines and worming - $50
Cats/Kittens, spayed/neutered, current on vaccines and tested for feline diseases- $65
Kittens*, current on vaccines, worming and tested for feline diseases - $50
*Spay/neuter will be required by the new owner on or before the pup or kitten reaches the age of six months

Dan Naff, Executive Director of the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce, with the eleventh edition of the Botetourt magazine.

The new "Botetourt" magazine has hit the stands and the Botetourt Chamber of Commerce is all smiles. Farms and area businesses are featured in the 11th edition of the magazine. "Tourism and Botetourt County as well as area businesses, use the magazine as part of their promotion of the county," said Dan Naff, the Executive Director of the local chamber.

This year's edition has a green thematic color scheme and with the feature stories on farming and some of the newer faces around the business community, the magazine certainly places the best foot forward for Botetourt County. Naff has left some at Kroger in Daleville, the libraries have a copy as do members of the Chamber and of course copies can be obtained at the Chamber office in the old jail on court house square in Fincastle. For more information call Naff at 473-8280.

Endeavor balloon over the Rio Grande Gorge in New Mexico.

It's Terrific Tuesday again. What's happening in your neck of the woods? A few vacation and fun activity pics are beginning to surface and that's a really good thing! The photo of the balloon in New Mexico was sent to us by Colin Graham.  Send yours to:

news@botetourtview.com

What are you doing on the 4th of July? I have a three pronged approach. First I am going to a friend's farm for a cook out,  then to the Buchanan Parade and finally to the fireworks in Fincastle. I cannot imagine a 4th of July with out burgers and dogs grilled over a nice flame or a salute of fireworks in the name of freedom! The parade starts at 6 p.m. and will be follwed by the Carnival and prizes and fireworks for the last night. The events in both towns are a great way to see friends and neighbors and to honor the many different public safety volunteers in our area.

Yes, the Buchanan parade has a lot of  fire trucks and rescue vehicles. I actually had a lady complain to me about that last year. Well, I think we are lucky to have so many fine volunteers and could use a few more! Don't complain--help!

In Fincastle they have the best fireworks display around. No, they don't have a big musical, but have lots of ice cream available and seeing folks and chit chatting before the display can't be beat for a person of my profession! The fireworks are top of the line. Come about thirty to forty minutes before dusk. Bring bug spray a blanket or  lawn chair, too! Volunteer Firemen and the Town of Fincastle make sure all goes well.

Take pictures of your event and send them along! We'd love to see them!

This week's reading suggestion:

"First Family" by David Baldacci

My favorite writer has come through with another winner! Michelle Maxwell and Sean King are back in this thriller about trouble in the First Family. Add a dose of the old south and a bit of kidnapping and the stage is set. I read the book in large print so I could get it quicker. I am ashamed to say, it makes for easier reading! The library can put you on the waiting list! With the slow economy and the hubby out of work, the library is the best way to get reading material for me this summer.

So far I have read 11 books since June 1! How about you?

Here's recipe for something yummy for the 4th of July picnic from Kay Fechisin of Daleville

Strawberry Dessert

Crust and Topping:
1 c. butter, melted
½ c. brown sugar
2 c. flour
1 c. pecans, chopped

Filling:
10 oz. fresh or frozen strawberries (I usually increase to 16 oz.)
1 c. sugar
1 T. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (12-oz.) carton Cool Whip (If I use extra strawberries, I increase this to 16 oz.)

Crust and topping: Mix butter, brown sugar, flour and pecans. Place in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and bake at 400° for about 18 - 22 minutes, or until brown. Watch carefully and stir several times during baking to avoid burning. When brown, place half of the mixture aside for later use as the topping. Press the remaining half in the bottom of the dish and cool.

Filling: Dice strawberries into small pieces. Place strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Mix for 5 minutes, then fold in Cool Whip. (Be sure to fold in the Cool Whip gently with a spatula; if you stir, the filling tends to become runny.) Pour filling over cooled crust.

Sprinkle reserved nut mixture on top. Cover and place in freezer until ready to serve.

Next week I'll be on a mssion trip so see you in two weeks! Send info to news@botetourtview.com while I am away!

We have an update on the accident at last night's Buchanan Carnival, where one of the rides collapsed.

Initially, there were no reports of injuries. Now we learn that one person was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries.

We have more on the incident, plus an interview with the victim in this breaking news item from Matt Chittum.

Here's our previous post on the accident.

Vicky Collins was named Mrs. Botetourt County United States 2009 and was 6th runner-up in Mrs. Virginia United States Pageant.

She had this to say about her experience:

"I would like to thank my Main Sponsors:

Kroger -Daleville: Culture Council & Staff, P-ZAZ Salon & Day Spa, Delaines Formals, Cundiff Pharmacy, Botetourt Lube, Chiropractic Care Center ( Blue Ridge ), Lil’ Cucci’s, Advance Auto Parts, Toni Walker Insurance Co., J.Bullington Photography, Waco, Inc., Leslie Owens - State Farm Insurance, Smith & Assoc. Ameriprise Financial, Stephen R Wills PLC, Sheila Lithgoe & Assoc., Bodacious Salon & Spa, Blue Ridge Academy of Music, Five Diamond Nails, The Booth Family and Fat Cat Diner.

I had a wonderful time out in Williamsburg for the Pageant on May 2, 2009.

I could not have achieved my goals without the support of my husband, Ronnie Collins and my children, Heather and Justin.

I thank everyone in the community for all their support and sponsorship. Many other community businesses were involved.

My platform for this year is The Prevention of Youth Drug/Alcohol Abuse, as well as The Cure for Cancer. If you would like to donate to any of my charities such as:

YOVASO - Youth of VA Speak Out

RAYSAC - Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition

Quilts For Cancer ( Supplies handmade quilts for local children )& Character Counts Roundtable

Please contact me at 540-915-6622 between 9am & 5pm."

Submitted by Vicky Collins

Lindsey Price from Lord Botetourt High School class of 2005 graduated cum laude from Virginia Commonwealth University on May 16. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Bachelor of Science in Sociology. Lindsey is employed by the MCV Child Care Center in Richmond. She is the daughter of Danny and Donna Price of Roanoke.

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

Jane Garnett sent us this photo of the sunrise on Read Mountain on Monday. Isn't it beautiful?

Are you awake early enough to see the sunrise? If so, send your photos to news@botetourtview.com.

This is the Webelo Scouts from Pack 137 in Troutville. They went to Jelly Stone Camp Ground to campout and to work on there Outdoorsman Pin and Aquanaut Pin. They went hiking and learned how to Fuse a rope and learned some basic knots. Each Webelo had to help cook a meal and clean up after each meal. They learned fire safety and how to correctly build a fire.

If your son would like to join these Scouts please call John at 892-8121.

Submitted by John and Crystal Jones

The Botetourt Americans played Blacksburg in the Dixie Angels District 3 tournament on Saturday -- and we have a photo gallery courtesy of Blacksburg parent Wendell Jones.

Thanks, Wendell.

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

And if you know who some of these Botetourt players are, let us know, too!