www.roanoke.com

Christmas is coming!

Virginia Mountain Vineyards Holiday Open House
Saturday, Dec 4 & Sunday Dec 5; 1-5PM
Live Holiday Music
Hors d'oeuvres
Grape vine wreath making
Great Holiday wine and gift accessories
540-473-2979
www.vmvines.com

Travis Meadow and Warren Rhodes work the barbeque pit at LBHS

The Chicken  Barbeque pit at LBHS is getting a work out this fall. The pit was dismantled  up next to Lord Botetourt High School and a new more modern facility created down by the school's softball field. Already groups are using the barbecue pit to raise funds for projects.

On Saturday November 14, the Botetourt Young Farmers made chicken and presented a tasty meal to the  attendees and carry out to ticket holders from all of the county. The Young Farmers promote agriculture and farm activities in Botetourt County and are associated with Farm Bureau. In the photo above, Travis Meadow and Warren Rhodes along with many others fired the chicken halves all day long. The result-- tasty tender chicken all for a good cause!

JRHS is selling fruit for the holiday season.

JRHS FFA is selling fruit 2009-2010; see a Vo Ag student or contact office to place your order. Tangerines $20 half box, juice oranges, tangelos, red/yellow navels, pink grapefruit are $25 whole and $15 half box! Call the school at 254-1121

A first annual home tour (gallery) is coming to Troutville! In their energized quest to make a strategic plan for the Town of Troutville, the Friends of the Troutville Park have organized a Christmas tour for homes, businesses and a church on Sunday, December 6 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets are $7 each and may be purchased at any of the homes.

The tour begins at Everything Art at Mill Creek which used to be Mill Creek Garage, then flows along Lee Highway to the Rader home at 8910 called Cave Spring Farm and home to Jack Rader.  The Rauscher House at 5559 Lee Highway built around 1908 is also featured. The Town Park Caboose numbered X544 circa the mid  20th century, Southern Past Times a small country and decor business in a one floor plan home typical of the 1940s. Cave Hill Dairy Farm is located at 87 Henderson Way off Catawba Road (west of Daleville) which has a Troutville address. The Henderson home is one of 9 Dairy Farms left in Botetourt County and home to Jerry and Donna Henderson, "The Pickle Lady." The tour ends at Troutville Church of the Brethern  on Lee Highway in the center of town, with a reception.

Photos courtesy of Kathy Conner, Shutterbug photography.

Logan Wood and his big cabbage.

Logan Wood was the school winner of the cabbage contest earlier this past summer in Mrs. Mayes class. As you can tell by the picture, that is one really big cabbage almost as big as Logan! Have an interesting photo to share? news@botetourtview.com

photo submitted by Wood family

This is a watermelon grown from a volunteer seed by Mrytle and David Montgomery in Daleville. Holding it is Mason Sowers their grandson.

The watermelon was grown on a late volunteer plant in Daleville. We picked it the first of October. It was the biggest watermelon on the vine. It weighed 36 lbs. and was 25 inches long. Our grandson, Mason Sowers, is holding it. "The fruit was so sweet and delicious," said Montgomery.

LBHS FFA students Jake Graham and Ricky Phoenix won the state tractor trouble shooting contest. Stuart Byrd, the team sponsor, is in the back middle.

On Sept. 24th Ricky Phoenix and Jake Gray placed first in the State Tractor Troubleshooting contest at the State Fair of Virginia. In order to compete in a state FFA event students must prove themselves to be the best by beating out competition at the school level, federation level and finally the area level.
This is a team event where students learn to work together diagnosing common problems that you might find on a farm tractor that has broken down on the farm. Overall the contest consists of three main parts. First students have to take a 25 question written test about safety, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of a farm tractor. Second they have to diagnose mechanical problems of five tractors. Third they draw a random tractor and have to make the necessary repairs to the tractor. The Lord Botetourt FFA would like to extend a special thanks to Blue Ridge Farm Center for sponsoring the team and Mr. Chuck Pound, LB's Athletic director, for his donation of time and effort in helping the team make it to state.

Scrapbook your favorite memories on November 7

The Women's Ministry of Fincastle Baptist Church is going to sponsor a Scrapbook Day on Nov. 7, 2009, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm in the Chapel. Finger foods and lunch will be provided. Michelle Adkins, a Creative Memories Consultant, will be here for the class. This class is for the avid scrapers as well as those just beginning. Don't forget to invite all your friends as this will be a wonderful time of fellowship with other women and preserving our family memories. If you would like more information, call the church office at 473-2861.

The LBHS Ag Mechanics team at the Eastern Regionals are Corey Reid, Matt Chocklett, Matt Taylor and Ricky Phoenix

The Lord Botetourt FFA's Agriculture Mechanics team competed in the Eastern States regional competition in Spring Field Mass. on Sept 18th. The Lord Botetourt high schools Agriculture Mechanics team consisting of team members Corey Reid, Matt Chocklett, Matt Taylor and Ricky Phoenix won the opportunity to compete in the regional FFA Agriclutural Mechanics contest that was held at the Eastern Exposition known as the Big E, a multi-State fair that is held each year consisting of all of the New England States. Each year the 2nd place state teams at State conventions all over the United states get a second chance to compete at the National level by winning the region. The contest consists of five parts; first students have to take a written test, second they must lay out a rafter, third they have to work on a small engine, fourth they have to diagonose a problem with a farm tractor, and fith they had to set up a computerized GIS self steere system for a farm tractor.
Aside from competing in the competion students were able to meet fellow FFA members from all all over the eastern US as well as tour one of the top 10 Agricultural Fairs in the United States. The Lord Botetourt FFA would like to thank the Botetourt Farm Bureau for their sponsorship of the team.