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Laura Tucker shares these photos from the Community Day at Fellowship Community Church last weekend.

Thanks, Laura!

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

Do you have photos involving people or events in Salem or western Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com.

The last time Doug Hubert laid eyes on his bucket, it was 1984 and the school was digging up another time capsule that had been buried May 23, 1976. Glenvar Elementary school unearthed the 1984 time capsule on Thursday morning, May 28, 2009.

"It was wet, too, like this one when we uncovered it," Hubert said. Only, the older time capsule had very few legible items. "The only thing I can remember [in the 1976 time capsule] was the comic strip from the Roanoke Times," he said.

This time around, Hubert has two children attending GES, and the results were a little better: a lunch menu of favorite foods, magazine clippings indicating 1984 fashion sense, laminated Roanoke Times and World News articles, news about Michael Jackson, and other soggy, mostly paper, mementos from 25 years ago.

Former principal Fred Dixon and former assistant principal Dot Mundy were on hand to talk with former colleagues like retired second grade teacher Sue Williams and bus driver Charlotte Robinson.

"I don't remember anything except we put it in plastic," Mundy said. She worked at Glenvar Elementary for five years and in Roanoke County for a total of 38 years. "Didn't think I'd be here 25 years later to look at it," she said.

Rebecca Russell-Robinson and her husband Brian Robinson, 1995 GHS grads, were both in the first grade when the capsule was buried. They don't remember much about it, but their story together starts at the elementary school when they rode the bus together. Robinson's mother, Charlotte Robinson, drove the bus that took them to school.

To see the photos above in a more traditional photo gallery, click here.

The movie, "Madagascar 2 - Escape 2 Africa", will be shown at Longwood Park in Salem on June 13th.

Mike Stevens sent the following description of the family event:

The City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department will be showing its second outdoor movie of the summer season at Longwood Park on Saturday, June 13. "Madagascar 2 - Escape 2 Africa" - the popular Dreamworks film - featuring the voices of Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Cedric The Entertainer and the late Bernie Mack, will begin at dark and admission is absolutely free.
The first 50 families to arrive will receive a free bag of popcorn courtesy of Frito Lay. Food will be available to purchase at the concession stand and everyone is welcome to bring chairs and a blanket. This event is designed for the entire family to enjoy a night at the movies under the stars.

Here is a list of summer events, including the teen summer reading program, for the Glenvar Library submitted by Roanoke County Public Library:

Teen Summer Reading Program Events:

Designer T-shirt Creations: where teens will be able to express themselves with stencils, fabric paint, cutting, and sewing to create their own one of a kind t-shirt to wear this summer.

Glenvar Library - Tuesday, June 23rd, 6-8 PM

Project Teenway Competition: Teens will be able to express their fashion creativity in teams by coming up with a quick design made from scrap fabric and paper to dress one of their team members with, then these designs will be compared and judged by members of the library staff.

Registration will be required in advance as space is limited; contact the local county library hosting the event for reservations.

Glenvar - Tuesday, June 30th, 12-2 PM

Altered Art Travel Journals: Teens will create travel journals based on their favorite vacation spot or a trip they dream of taking in the future. Old maps, travel photos, and card stock paper will be used to transform old books into new journals for recording your favorite travel memories and wishes. Registration will be required in advance as space is limited; contact the local county library hosting the event for reservations.

Glenvar - Tuesday, July 21st, 6-8 PM

Children's Summer Reading Program:
Signups begin Monday, June 1, at any Roanoke County Public Library (HQ/419 Library, Hollins Branch Library, Vinton Branch Library, Glenvar Branch Library, Mt. Pleasant Branch Library and the Bent Mountain Branch Library).

Glenvar Branch Library
Magic of Eric Richardson
Thursday, June 25, 2:00 p.m.
3917 Daugherty Road, Call 387-6163 for more information.

Family Event:

Family Movie @ Glenvar
Hollins Branch Library
Monday, June 29, 2:00 pm
Inkheart
Movies played on a large screen with surroundsound. Families Welcome! Free admission! Free freshly popped popcorn too!!
3917 Daugherty Road, Call 387-6163 for more information.

Read more »

We've just updated our Roanoke Valley crime map with the latest offenses from Salem and Roanoke County -- and Roanoke, as well.

During the week of May 17-23, police reported six larcenies and one aggravated assault in Salem. (There was a seventh larceny, that came on May 24, the most recent date we have data for.)

Meanwhile, Roanoke County police reported two larcenies in western Roanoke County during the same period.

So that's nine larcenies in all. But here's what's also notable: No burglaries. It seems we've had a rash of burglaries to report on this spring -- but none last week.

You can search the map to see where those incidents took place.

Also, the Salem Police Department provides more detailed information than other localities -- so in addition to the Roanoke Valley crime map, we have a more detailed Salem crime map you can search, as well.

Follow the links above and you can see where they were and what they were. Our data delivery editor, Matt Chittum, has more information how you can use the searchable crime maps.

Also on our Datasphere collection of searchable data: A map showing where reports about the recent Roanoke Valley earthquake came from.

Photo courtesy of Wendell Jones

This photo of the Salem girl's soccer team celebration was sent by Wendell Jones. In case you missed it, here is a link to our earlier post with a gallary of photos from Roanoke Times photographer Sam Dean.

Do you have photos involving people or events in Salem or western Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com

This weekend report for the Salem Farmer's Market was submitted by Beth Carson:

Good Morning Everyone!

Although it has made things a little messy in the fields, the recent combination of rain and heat has really made our farmers gardens jump!

Freshly picked asparagus (it tastes nothing like the canned and frozen stuff!), lots of leafy lettuces, mild Spring onions, sweet strawberries, tasty Spring peas, and tender new broccoli will be on the market this weekend. Our farmers are hustling to get all these goodies picked fast so they will be at their peak just for you!

Joining these Spring treats will be a tasty assortment of Baked goodies (Artisan breads, cakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, scones, jams and jellies), grass finished beef and naturally raised pork, and, as always, fresh from your local bees-honey.

We haven’t forgotten our green thumbs either! This weekend our vendors will have lots to choose from with beautiful hanging baskets, flowers, landscaping shrubs (Accent Nursery should have several Knock Out roses on hand), and herbs for planting that kitchen garden! Hand carved wooden crafts and doggie treats will complete your trip!

So come on down and see what your friends at the market have waiting for you!

Today:

This morning we have 4 of our dedicated vendors with lots of tomato plants, herbs, and beautiful flowers for your planting needs. Greenwood Farms has hanging baskets, tomato plants, and lots of brightly colored annuals to brighten up your garden. Spicy 4 U has fresh asparagus, their famous spice mixes, vegetable plants, and an assortment of fresh herbs for planting. Mac Wertz has fresh lettuce, onions, strawberries, and several types of vegetable plants and herb plants. And last but not least, our resident Honey expert Coy Shupe has some of the prettiest honey around!

Tomorrow:

Saturday looks to be even busier with at least 18 vendors on board!

Vegetables: peas, lettuce mixes, onions, broccoli, chard, baby spinach, radishes, and fresh asparagus. Several organic and organically raised vegetables.

Meats: Grass finished beef, and naturally raised pork.

Fruit: strawberries (I’ve been told some cherries showed up last weekend!)

Baked goodies:garlic items, freshly baked breads, homemade cakes, scones, muffins, pies, cookies, and homemade jams and jellies!

Other: fresh local honey, farm fresh eggs, gourmet spice mixes, all kinds of flowers and vegetable plants, herb plants. landscaping plants, hand carved wooden crafts, and doggie treats.

Next Saturday, June 6 will prove to be a busy day filled with the opening and re-opening of two city projects: the new Farmers Market Chef Circle and the revamped Salem Municipal Golf Course are both set to start serving up good experiences for Salem.

The Farmer's Market Chef Circle will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a cooking demonstration from 202 Market's chef Chad Scott. He'll be the first of the summer series that runs through August to host a demonstration on the city's new "set."

The kitchen that will house the series is on a trailer much like the one that the Parks and Recreation Department uses as a stage for events like Salem After Five, and it's kitchen is one of a kind.

According to the website, when Beth Carson started working on the project, she was unsure of what her budget was going to allow her to do: she'd knew it would take more than a hot plate and a few folding tables. Her boss, Mike Tyler came up with the idea of removing an entire kitchen from one of the FEMA homes that were being demolished along Chamberlain Road.

Careful lifting by crane, a police escort with a wide trailer down Route 419, and some major renovations later, Carson's project has become a reality. And with any luck, it will inspire local followers of the Food Network and "locavores" to take a vested interest in getting local produce from farmers at the Farmers Market.

To read more about Chef's Circle and see upcoming hosts, here's the link: www.salemva.gov/chefscircle/ .

At 11 a.m. later that Saturday morning, June 6, the nine hole, 34 par Salem Municipal Golf Course established in 1919 will have a grand reopening after its artificial putting greens were replaced by durasoil, a sand and clay-like substance that is much better to play on.

For more information, go to www.salemva.gov/golfcourse/index.html .

Salem's girls soccer team defeated Blacksburg 3-2 in the regional tournament Thursday and now advances to today's regional championship game against Hidden Valley. That game is at 6 p.m. at Cave Spring Middle School.

We have a photo gallery of the action from Sam Dean of The Roanoke Times.

You can view his photos in the slideshow above or in this photo gallery.

Do you have photos involving teams or players from Salem or western Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com

"The Virginia College Savings Plan, and college savings plans around the nation, will be celebrating 529 Day on Friday, May 29, as a way to educate and encourage savings for higher education.

One way Virginia will be celebrating 529 Day is by awarding VEST accounts with opening balances of $529 to the babies born closest to 5:29 p.m. on that day at participating hospitals around the state. The winners must be born as close to – but not after – 5:29 p.m. May 29, 2009.

Among the participating hospitals statewide are HCA’s Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem and Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg.

The Virginia Education Savings Trust (VEST) helps individuals and families from across the country plan and save for higher education through affordable, flexible and tax-advantaged college savings accounts. Savings are tax-free as long as funds are used for qualified college expenses, including: tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, textbooks, supplies, special needs services and computers. The plans are named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code and are generally administered by states.

"We are excited to be working with Lewis Gale Medical Center and Montgomery Regional Hospital as we help new parents and families become more aware of how Virginia’s 529 programs can help them plan and pay for college," said Mary G. Morris, Executive Director of the Virginia College Savings Plan.

The Plan is offering application fee waivers for anyone opening an account online with the Virginia College Savings Plan the week of 529 Day. Additional information on 529 Day events in Virginia may be found at Virginia529.com.

The Virginia College Savings Plan is the country’s largest 529 plan, with over 1.7 million accounts and almost $22 billion in assets under management as of April 30, 2009. It offers four unique savings options, including VEST, the Virginia Prepaid Education Program (VPEP), CollegeWealth, and CollegeAmerica.

For more information on Virginia’s savings options, please visit Virginia529.com."

Submitted by Ruth Intress