www.roanoke.com

The Eagle Rock Fire Dept. and Rescue Squad is currently conducting a raffle for a $300 Wal Mart gift card and a $150 Kroger card. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 tickets for $5.00 and a book of 12 for $10.00 . Drawing to be held December 6, 2009. Contact any Eagle Rock Fire Dept. or Rescue Squad member if you'd like to purchase some.

submitted by Dee Dee Bruce

Event: Veterans Day Service
When: Wednesday, November 11
Where: Troutville Elementary School auditorium
Time: 10 am to 11 am
Information: Special recognition of each veteran attending. Music provided by "Four For You", a quartet from the Virginia Gentlemen. Special message and flag presentation. Refreshments. This event is being coordinated by Troutville's Friends of the Park.

Submitted by Dan Naff

These young folks had a day off from school and volunteered to unload the Second Harvest truck for the Botetourt Food Pantry.

"The increase in clientele is huge. We are seeing a lot of younger families now," said Kathy McClung who along with Martha Rodgers, is co-leading the pantry. Two years ago the Botetourt Food Pantry in Fincastle, located St. Mark's Episcopal Church, served over 100 community members per month. In November 2009, the BFP is serving as many as 435 people per month.

Last November, for the first time the Botetourt Food Pantry had to turn to Second Harvest Food Bank in Roanoke and filled the shelves. The need has continued. On Monday November 2, they once again took advantage of a school day off to have students come to the BFP to volunteer and to unload the Second Harvest truck. "We have families now whose main bread winner has been laid off. It's a different group." said Rodgers.

The Botetourt Food Pantry needs donations. Any sorts of canned vegetable and pasta goods still in date, as well as boxes of macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, canned milk, canned meat, and so forth are sought to fill the increased need. Volunteer Lois Switzer told us that on a recent Saturday as a child left with parents, the child inquired of his mother, "Does that mean we can eat more than one meal per day now?" McClung told of an older gentleman who declined cereal because he couldn't afford milk. They are now getting in dried milk from Second Harvest. The BFP will also accept monetary donations to help with the cost of the food that does not get donated.

Right here in Botetourt County hunger does exist.

The Botetourt Food Pantry is also holding a drive for foods to go along with the Thanksgiving turkey-ingredients to make side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, yams, canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce, vegetables. They have some churches volunteering to bring packed boxes, but they also expect a large number of people to come on November 14 and 21 to pick up the boxes. "We just hope to get enough to fill the need," said McClung.

She also noted that volunteer youth from North Botetourt County churches like Zion Hill, Mount Bethel and Forest Grove (all Baptist Churches) and Boy Scouts from Troop 207 have been helping on Saturdays. "And we really could not do with out Lois Switzer and her daughter, Heather Huffman, who are volunteering as well as parishioners from St. Mark's Episcopal congregation who come to help," stated McClung

Brownie Troop 432 worked on a service badge by bagging dry dog and cat food at the Botetourt Food Pantry.

Also on November 2, a visit of Brownies Troop 432 that meets at Fincastle United Methodist Church who came to pack gallon bags of dog and cat food donated by the Roanoke Valley SPCA. Christi Fox one of the troop leaders said, "They discovered at food pantries and Meals on Wheels, that clients were sharing their meager food supplies with their pets. That is why the SPCA is helping the local food pantries. BFP is the one chosen for this county. Each client gets one gallon of dried food per pet per month.

Food can be dropped off at the three county libraries as well as by contacting the St Mark's Episcopal Office at 473-2370, Monday through Thursday.

Brownie Troop 432:

McKayla, Stiltner, Jarrett Neese, Grace Davis, Sage Benningfield, K.J. DeHaven, Lauren Fox, Hanna Michael, Olivia Polumbo, Halla Roberts, Anna Scott, Lauren Stater, Kate Smith, Madeline smith, Leaders Christi Fox, Randy Neese, Mary DeHaven, Sheila Smith and Robin Stiltner.

Student volunteers that unloaded the truck and sorted and shelved:

Ben Downey, Madison Wren, Isaiah Wright, Tiffany McClung, Ella Wright, Jacob Hodges, Tyler Lester, Ian Wright and Josh Bonds.

Call it a midterm review and here is an exam of what goes on at Botetourt Technical Eduction Center (BTEC) as presented by the new principal, Joe Hardin, who came to the school recently to replace Brian Austin  who is now at the Central office in a supervisory position.

The classes held at BTEC are from the website:

Auto Service Technology, Instructor: Chris Frost: Prepares students to diagnose and repair motor vehicles. The course includes instruction in brake systems, engine tune-up and repair, electrical systems, cooling systems and suspensions.

Building Trades, Instructor: Phillip Simmons. Designed to develop skills and training in carpentry, masonry, residential wiring and plumbing. Students learn to use, care for, handle safely, tools, machinery, equipment, and materials commonly used in all building trades areas. Prerequisites - good basic math skills.

Collision Repair, Instructor: Donnie Sale. Prepares students to repair and refinish motor vehicle bodies. The course includes chassis alignment, reconstruction of components and repainting. Prerequisites - good color differentiation, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity.

Computer Aided Drafting,  Instructor Veronica Spradlin. Prepares students to enter the field of mechanical and architectural drafting. Students will be prepared to read and understand drawings, use equipment of the drafting profession, perform basic drawing procedures, and progress into more specialized work such as technical shop drawings. As students advance in skills training, they are introduced to and develop practical applications on the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) System.

Cosmetology, Instructor: Phyllis Pratt. Prepares students for state licensing as cosmetologists. The course includes manicuring, shampooing, scalp and hair treatment, chemical services, hair styling and salon management. Prerequisites - hand-eye- coordination, manual dexterity, good color discrimination and ability to follow oral or written instructions.

Health Assistant, Instructor: Mary Agee. Included in the 2 year program is theory and clinical instruction in the sciences and basic nursing arts. Prepares students for state licensure as a certified nursing assistant. Also, assists students who desire for higher level health care career, such as a practical or registered nurse, dental assistant or physical therapist upon graduation.

Horticulture: Instructor, Jan Hendrickson..Prepares students to grow greenhouse plants, to design floral and plant arrangements, and to design and maintain interior and exterior landscapes. Prerequisites - an interest in the life sciences and desire to work with plants both inside and outside. Good "people" skills are a plus.

Plumbing: Instructor, Terry Agee. Plumbing is a 2 year program. Students learn to assemble, install and repair pipes, fittings and fixtures of heating,water,and drainage systems according to specifications of the plumbing code.

Senior Seminar: Instructors, Sara Zeek (English) Lindsay Brooks (Government)
Senior Humanities Seminar is an interdisciplinary, dual enrollment offering through BCPS and Virginia Western Community College. Students may earn up to 12 college credits in the program. Students are enrolled in English 111 and Political Science 211 in the first semester; English 112 and Political Science 212 are taught in the second semester. The classes are taught by a team of two teachers, and assignments frequently count in both classes. Students write a variety of essays and frequently complete group and individual projects. The courses are taught at the college level.

Welding, Instructor: Troy Linkenhoker. Welding introduces students to cutting, welding and manufacturing processes. It will provide students instruction in the fundamental principles of joining metals, welding and cutting processes, equipment operation, and safety procedures that are used in today's industrial environment.

With those classes in mind here are some of the things the 300 BTEC students have been accomplishing this fall.

Auto trades has a bid going on for two vehicles serviced by students, a 1981 Mercedes Benz and a 1998 Honda Civic. Bids should be delivered to BTEC by November 30.

Building trades I and II. Picnic tables that do not turnover are being constructed for Breckinridge Elementary School  PTA to place at the school. "The students can put together a table in one block period," said Hardin.

A  1325 modular one floor plan home based on the Moducraft model "Liberty" is being contstructed by Building trades also. On the drawing board is a possibility the Botetourt Education Foundation may purchase a lot for the home to be sold on. Plumbing and CAD have also participated in this project. If the lot is purchased, horticulture students will landscape the lot. The students also had a field trip to ModuCraft in Rocky Mount to see how they construct homes in the factory.

Auto Body students left Tuesday for a trip to the SEMA convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. They will see cutting edge technology and automobile ideas for the future while there.

Cosmetology Class hosted 9th year that BTEC Cosmetology has held an Annual Hair Show and invited other Cosmetology programs from neighboring counties to attend. We usually have between 250-300 Cosmetology students and this year is no exception. Participating schools are Bedford Science and Technology, Roanoke City Gibboney Center, Roanoke County Burton Center for Technology, Pulaski County High School, Blacksburg High School, and Giles County Technology Center. It will be held on Tuesday October 27th at the CAMS Forum," said Phyllis Pratt, instructor.

Health Care students get practical experience as well as classroom experience.  Horticulture students will be holding the annual Poinsettia Sale in early December.

Skills USA is a student organization for the technical trades and every year has a regional competition last year it was held at BTEC but the next one is going to be hosted by Allegheny High School. The organization is hiolding a raffle now for a canoe, a tree stand, GPS and a $50 gift card all courtesy of Gander Mountain. 41 donation and the drawing is November 24.

Skills USA is also sponsoring a food drive for the Botetourt Food Pantry in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club of Botetourt. Troy Linkenhoker and Veronica Spradlin can be contacted at the school at 473-8216 for information on how to make food donations or receive raffle information.

American Heritage Girls Troop VA 2009 making donation to Troutville Fire and Rescue.

Seeking to bless our local fire and rescue teams, American Heritage Girls (AHG) Troop VA2009 surprised the Troutville Volunteer Fire Department on October 10 with cases of bottled water and Gatorade, two beverages in high demand by first responders after answering an emergency! AHG is a Christian scouting organization for ages 5-18 dedicated to developing women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country! The Roanoke-area chapter was started this Summer, and already has 19 girls participating! Meetings are held across the street from the Troutville Fire Department on Rt. 11 at Living Hope Fellowship Church. For more information about AHG, contact Connie Davis via email at noahslanding1@cox.net.

submitted by Jennifer Blugerman

Don't drive....need a ride? The Botetourt County Parks & Recreation Dept. is proud to advertise our Senior Van Program to residents of Botetourt County who are 55 & older. Our van will pick you up for shopping, doctor appointments or just for those who would like to get out of the house for a while. We also have a van for the disabled as well. Please call Hazel Dooley at 309-3633 for more information on this free program. A $5 donation is greatly accepted!

Submitted by Botetourt Parks and Rec

The Troutville Lions Club completed its second of two weekends of production of gourmet apple butter on October 23-24 with two 12-hour days at the farm of one of their members in Troutville.  This year’s production will be the equivalent of over 1,000 quarts including both pints and quarts.  Both sizes are ideal for those wanting to give the apple butter as gifts.  New electric stirrers used for the first time on their two copper kettles significantly reduced the labor required over the 12 hours of cooking each day.  Troutville Lions President Ken Venable said “We believe the new process for stirring has improved the blend, texture, and taste of our apple butter.  We enjoy carrying on this tradition and are fortunate to be able to produce apple butter to raise funds for our community projects”. The Troutville Lions club has been making apple butter for over 30 years.  Bill Rader mixes in the spices following his father’s recipe that continues to produce a truly gourmet product.

Those interested in knowing more about the Troutville Lions Club should contact Lion President Ken Venable at 992-4683.

Submitted by Stan Diez

Happy ghosts in front of the Jones at the old Baptist Church in Fincastle.

It's Terrific Tuesday again. How's everything in your neck of the woods?

No you are not wrong. I never got one up last Tuesday. I just didn't feel terrific because of the latest news about another student at Virginia Tech and LBHS graduate to boot. Morgan Harrington must be found, but the fervent hope is that she will be alive. I watched her father on television and well it just broke my heart. Sadly a real nightmare before Halloween just like the pair killed in August at Caldwell Fields off Rt. 621 in Montgomery County. Saw those parents on TV last night as well. May the good Lord assuage their grief and help them find a way a head of the despair. Let's hope law enforcement finds the sicko/s who did both as well and may they get exactly what they deserve!

Speaking of horror I covered the CAMS Ghost Walk on this past Saturday night and the ghosties and goblins of Botetourt will be out and about on Saturday night for a bit Halloween fun. Truly, Halloween was always one of my favorite days of the year when I was a child.

Over at Breckinridge we used to sing, "Witches, pumpkin heads, black cats, scary spooks, Oh! Its Halloween!" I am so sorry you can't hear me sing it.

Would you like to hear a scary story? Why sure you would.

Back in 2004 a friend of mine went to Saipan on business. A ton of soldiers from both sides were killed there during WWII. He landed at the airport in the daylight, rented a car and went to his hotel. He spent several days there on business before he took his leave to go home to the USA.

The weather was cold and dreary and a fog had seeped in over the road. He had to drive very slowly as the airport was far away from where he had been staying. He got in a dark and dare I say it, spooky spot of road. In his headlights he suddenly saw a line of soldiers walking very slowly in front of him. He slammed on the brakes and they were gone just as quickly as he had seen them. Nothing but fog remained! He said to me in an email, "My heart was in my throat. They looked so real until they disappeared!" Way cool!

Upon arrival back in the USA, he looked up the uniforms as they were walking away from him. He also read about the fierce fighting there during the war. "On the night of July 7, 1943 3,000 Japanese charged in the largest suicide rush of the war. Stunned, the Americans fell back, but quickly recovered and wiped out the Japanese in an all-night fight. All but 1,000 of the Japanese military were dead." --WWII database online.

He believes they were lost souls of Japanese soldiers killed in the fighting, still wandering Saipan on foggy nights even 60 years later!

I don't write ‘em, I just repeat ‘em, folks. Happy Halloween! See you next week!

Help keep Fincastle Lit!

Tis almost the season to put up the Christmas Lights in Fincastle ! Saturday, November 14 is the big day.

Get out your walking shoes and climbing feet, "The Society to Keep Fincastle Lit" is in need of volunteers once again this year to help replace old and broken bulbs on light strings and to help string the lights across the streets of the historic county seat.

Mary Bess Smith, one of the organizers, said to be there no later than 9 a.m. to start on the job.