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Recipe Swap Club begins Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 PM at the Fincastle Community Center. We are hosting our 1st meeting as a "Meet, Greet & Eat". Please bring a simple, homemade dish with a Thanksgiving theme along with the recipe you made it from. We will provide plates and utensils for sampling and also paper and pencil to copy down your favorite recipes. We will host this meeting monthly with different themes each month. We will also alternate locations between Fincastle and the Blue Ridge Library. This is a Free event for the public. We look forward to seeing you there!

Submitted by Botetourt County Parks and Rec

Christmas Candy Platter Centerpiece....on Monday, December 7 @ 6 :00 PM we will be offering a class to make a Christmas Candy Platter Centerpiece for your table. The class will be held at the Fincastle Community Center. Cost for the class is $10, with all materials being provided. We do ask that you bring your own glue gun. Class space is limited, please call our office at 473-8326 to register.

Submitted by Botetourt County Parks and Rec

On the right, Stewart receives his award for Animal Control Officer of the Year

Botetourt Animal Control Officer Charlie Stewart has worked tirelessly on numerous animal cruelty investigations, going above and beyond the call of duty to secure solid criminal charges and ultimately convictions. In the case Commonwealth vs. Moore, Officer Stewart persevered in an extremely difficult investigation, securing funding for extensive tests to prove a sexual assault of a small dog. The dog received medical care and was re-homed. The defendant plead guilty. As part of the plea agreement, the defendant has been forbidden from owning or possessing any animals.

This is only one example of Officer Stewart's commitment to animal welfare and the animal control profession. I hope that you will consider him for the Animal Control Officer of the Year award.

submitted by Botetourt County Sheriff's Department

Mommy & me classes are held each Thursday morning from 9:30 AM until 11:30 AM at the Fincastle Community Center. Please join Ms. Angie for a fun filled morning for your little one. Cost of each session is $7.00. Drop in's are welcome or your may call our office to register your 2-5 year old child at 473-8326.

Parents Night Out...need time to finish last minute holiday details? Why not drop the kids off with us at the Troutville Elementary School on Friday evening, December 18 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM for some organized fun and a pizza dinner too! Cost for each child (K-5th graders) will be $10. Please call our office to register at 473-8326.

2010 Amazement Square...Schools will be closed on Friday, January 15, why not allow your student to spend the day with us? Registration is limited for this trip to Lynchburg, so hurry and reserve your child's spot. Cost for this event is $12.00 for children ages 8-13. Please pack a lunch or send money for the day.

Submitted by Botetourt County Parks and Recreation

Ruth Everhart sent in these photos from around Fincastle.

Thanks, Ruth!

Do you have photos from around Botetourt? If so, you can share at news@botetourtview.com

Here is a photo of Caleb Van Buren's first squirrel. He shot it with a 22 rifle with scope.  He is 7 years old and enjoys hunting and fishing with his dad.  He attends Eagle Rock Elementary school and is in the second grade. Mrs. Hipes is his teacher.

Submitted by Tina Van Buren

This photo is of the Valley AFC Arsenal U12Boys travel soccer team after their win on Nov. 1. They won 7 to 3 in Moneta against the FSC White U12Boys to clinch the Division Championship in the Blue Ridge Classic League.  They ended with a record of (9-1) for the season.

Our paparazzi photo crew was at Pumpkinfest in Salem on Saturday -- and so were some people from Botetourt. Here are the folks from Botetourt who stepped onto the red carpet:

* Montana Snaveley
* Garrett Honts

You can see all the photos in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

So what did you do for Halloween? You can share your photos at news@botetourtview.com

Mark and Wendy Mountcastle, of Blue Ridge, sent in this photo of their 7-month-old granddaughter, Lillian Renick. She is ready to venture out for her first Halloween.

Thanks, Mark and Wendy!

Our paparazzi photo crew was at Tanglewood Mall for the mall's annuall trick-or-treat event, and here are the folks from Botetourt who stepped onto the red carpet:
* Shirley Tyree
* Aidan, Sophia, and Connor Walker
* Dakota, Olivia and Jenny Ayers
* Alex and Lindsay Boone
* Allison Hinkley

You can view all the photos in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

Do you have photos from your Halloween trick-or-treating? If so, you can share at news@botetourtview.com.