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Beth Carson sends this report on the Salem Farmers Market:

Salem Farmers Market

November 20, 2009

Today on the Market:

Fruits and Vegetables: tomatoes, onions, turnips, acorn squash, butternut squash, Crenshaw squash, potatoes, cabbage, mustard/kale/collard greens, and sweet potatoes. Lots of freshly picked local apples!

Other Items: Fresh local honey.

Tomorrow :

Customers can expect to find the above produce along with the following delicious items:

Baked goodies: Yes, we are expecting Mrs. Chappell with her now famous fried apple pies!

Meats: Highland farms will be offering hormone free and antibiotic free grass finished beef.

Other goodies: Fresh local honey, garlic products, gourmet soup mixes, and doggie treats.

Gardening: Fall is for planting! Check out Accent Nursery’s line of beautiful shrubs!

Crafts: Yellow Mountain Crafts will be here with their awesome smelling homemade soaps (Holiday scents now available!), lotions, sachets, linen sprays, scented Epsom salt baths for your tired holiday feet, milk baths, and lots more!

Please welcome our latest vendor!

Tomorrow we are pleased to announce that Ms. Anna Gontrum will be on the market with her homemade apple strudels, puff pastries, homemade gingerbread houses, homemade breads and rolls, and lots more goodies made fresh especially for you!

The Virginia Department of Transportation issues the following release:

STUDY TEAM PRESENTS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ROUTE 419 CORRIDOR
Citizens encouraged to attend meeting December 3
SALEM – The Roanoke Valley Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a citizen information meeting to
present recommendations to address transportation needs along the Route 419 corridor from
Route 311 to Route 220 in the Roanoke area.
The meeting will be held Thursday, December 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gymnasium of the
Brambleton Recreation Center located at 3738 Brambleton Avenue in Roanoke.
Representatives from the MPO, VDOT and the study team will be available to answer questions
and receive comments regarding this study to determine how to make travel along the Route 419
corridor safer and more efficient.
The recommendations presented at this meeting were developed as a result of public input
gathered in the spring 2009. Input from the community, especially those who travel or live and
work within the corridor, is extremely important to the success of the study. To review materials
prior to the meeting, a draft of the study can be found at http://www.rvarc.org/419/419plan.htm.
Written comments about the study may be submitted at the meeting or by December 18 to
Michael Gray, Virginia Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 3071, Salem, VA 24153. E-mail
comments can be sent to saleminfo@VDOT.virginia.gov. Please reference “Route 419 Study
Comments” in the subject heading.
Anyone requiring special assistance to attend and participate in this meeting may contact
VDOT’s Civil Rights Division at 540-387-5320, 800-611-5812 or TTY/TDD 711.

So, what do you think needs to be done? You can share your comments below.

Charlie Lightcap talks to Robyn Zamorski about his artwork at Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea. Photo Miranda Adkins, So Salem

Charlie Lightcap, Roanoke College basketball alum and local artist, will be creating an original work at the Salem Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea through December 20 to benefit the Jimmy V Cancer Research Foundation.

Tickets are on sale for $5 at the counter at the coffee shop, and Lightcap plans on doing one original piece there at the store each month for as long as the store will have him to raffle each for a different charity.

For more information, email Lightcap at thewoodwizard@verizon.net.

The Rotary Club of Salem, VA, District 7570, Rotary International, completed a project to aid in the eradication of polio through an extensive awareness campaign in conjunction with World Polio Day, October 24.

The Rotary Club of Salem's Red Badge Team, a group of seven new members of the club, was charged as part of its five-month orientation period to originate and complete a club project.

At the first meeting of the Red Badge Team August 27, the group of six new Rotarians and one veteran transferring Rotarian, elected to adopt World Polio Day as its project and to focus on community and area awareness as the mission of its endeavor. The group agreed that any contributions to PolioPlus would be a thankful sidebar of the project.

The project included a polio awareness blitz in the community which included numerous news articles to area newspapers, development of a 30-second Eradicate Polio public service announcement furnished to area commercial televisions stations and the local public TV facility leading up to World Polio Day. On World Polio Day, an area outdoor advertising firm provided three very prominent electronic billboards bringing attention to Rotary and the polio eradication efforts. One member of the team provided the expertise to develop the PSA and bill board image. Other team members negotiated the donated TV time and billboard space.

Displays of three iron lungs used to care for victims of infantile paralysis in the 1950s and 60s were set up at four different sites on two different dates at area shopping centers, a Salem/Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce event and a major rival high school football game.

A third phase of the project was the mailing of World Polio Awareness Day letters to 300 physicians in the Salem area. These letters provided information for the doctors on the role of Rotary International and the local club toward the eradication of polio and concluded with an opportunity for the physicians to donate to PolioPlus.

The Red Badge team requested from the club's board of directors approval to honor club member and District 7570 Polio Chair June Long for her many dedicated years to the eradication of polio. This award was presented to Rotarian Long during an October visit to Area 8, District 7570, by District Governor Ron Napier. The meeting was hosted by the Rotary Club of Salem and included the first mass showing of the PSA. This was covered by representatives of two area newspapers.

The Salem High School Interact Club and the Rotaract Club of Roanoke College were also involved in the project through participation at the iron lung displays. Red Badge members provided educational material to the members of the Rotaract and Interact clubs on the history of polio both locally and internationally and the current efforts to wipe out polio in the four remaining countries.

In addition to the success of the polio awareness campaign, the Red Badge team collected over $1,400 via the project. These funds will be forwarded to Rotary International and designated toward PolioPlus honoring Rotarian Long.

From the monies collected and through the efforts of past district governor Joe Ferguson and club president Aaron Garber, the club has approved the awarding of two Paul Harris Fellows. This is to be done at the conclusion of the Red Badge club orientation period in December.

Submitted by: Bill Orndorff, member of the Rotary Club of Salem, VA.

Kroger donated 32 pallets of fresh vegetables and produce and non-perishable goods to the Southwest Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank on November 17. In addition to more than 100,000 lbs. of produce, Kroger also donated $23,000 to the Food Bank as a result of the "Bringing Hope to the Table" promotion which ran through Kroger stores nationwide over the summer. That's the equivalent of nearly 72,000 meals for the hungry!

Harvest of Hope couldn't come at a better time. The economy has forced many individuals and families into poverty situations they have never experienced before. The Food Bank's partner agencies report a 20-30% increase in demand for emergency food assistance. Programs like the Harvest of Hope will help meet that increase in need with fresh, nutritional food!

Business writer Jenny Boone has details on her retail blog, The Storefront. If you've been there, let us know what you think! You can leave a comment below.

Salem Christmas Parade: The annual Salem Christmas Parade co-sponsored by the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce and Salem Kiwanis Club is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, December 4. Come early to get your spot to see the largest Christmas parade in Southwest Virginia.

Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation to Host Gingerbread Festival:

The Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation (a 501(c) 3 organization) will host the Gingerbread Festival Saturday, December 5th at Longwood Park in Salem. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Arts and craft vendors will be on hand, along with a variety of food vendors and live entertainment on stage. There will be an arts and craft activity for children to participate in. A nice cozy fire for marshmallow roasting will keep everyone warm. Gingerbread houses will be on display inside the carriage house during the event and festival goers are encouraged to vote for their favorites, which will determine the Best in Show winner. The houses on display will also be on silent auction, which will determine category winners, and will be awarded to the highest bidders.

The event is hosted by the Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Foundation with members of the Chamber bringing a holiday kickoff event to the community.

For more information visit www.s-rcchamber.org or call 540-387-0267

Submitted by the Salem Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce

As So Salem receives specifics on upcoming holiday events, you can bet the details will be here on the Notebook as soon as possible! If you have holiday events you'd like to share with folks, send the specifics to news@sosalem.com

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means a Kroger trucks loaded with 36 pallets of fresh produce and bottled water is on its way to the Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank for the Harvest of Hope, an annual produce frenzy!

More than 100,000 pounds of donated produce and water will arrive at the Food Bank's Roanoke Valley Distribution Center on Tuesday, November 17th. Distribution to hundreds of our partner agency feeding programs will begin promptly at 11:00a.m. to ensure that thousands of hungry individuals have fresh produce this Thanksgiving. Stop by and capture the images that say holiday generosity.

Kroger representatives also have a special check presentation planned that will mean thousands of additional pounds of food for the hungry.

Harvest of Hope couldn't come at a better time. The economy has forced many individuals and families into poverty situations they have never experienced before. The Food Bank's partner agencies report a 20-30% increase in demand for emergency food assistance. Programs like the Harvest of Hope will help meet that increase in need with fresh, nutritional food!

Just read what are partner agencies had to say about last year's Harvest of Hope...

"It means a lot of good food for those hungry people because produce is hard to get. We always look forward to it."
- Dale Mull, Shawsville Ministerial Association

"It's a blessing because we are trying to stop hunger in our city and for the hungry this is something different and exciting because it's something they don't get to buy themselves."
- Violet Dawson, Cornerstone Church, Martinsville, VA

"It's going to help a lot of kids and families. With the economy so bad, we are really happy to get some fresh produce."
- Jeff Curtis, Lonestar, Clifton Forge, VA

"My agency serves clients living with HIV and AIDS and to be able to bless them during the Thanksgiving season is wonderful. When your living with HIV and AIDS it's about getting good nutrition and that's why our sincere thanks goes to Kroger and the Food Bank for this produce."
-Dale Anthony, Dale's House, Roanoke, VA

"This means fresh vegetables for Thanksgiving. I have seen some clients of mine cry when they get this. You can't get that fresh produce normally so it means a lot to a lot of people and it means a lot to me to see my hungry clients smile and to see them happy."

- Tammy Francisco, Grace assembly of God, Catawba, VA
About the Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank
The Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank was founded in 1981 and is an affiliate member of Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest). The Food Bank's ultimate mission is to eliminate hunger in the region. The primary function of the Food Bank is to secure large quantities of food for the hungry. More than 13-million pounds of food is channeled through a network of more than 340 partner feeding programs (in a 26-county and 10-city region) that provide food or meals to those in need annually. Visit www.swvafoodbank.org for more information.

Amedisys Hospice Services and the Salem - Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce joined together to celebrate the opening of Amedisys Hospice Services new location at 1312 West Main Street in Salem November 5. Close to 40 people came by to welcome Amedisys to their new home. Salem Mayor Randy Foley presented Elizabeth Hinkley, Director of Operations, with a proclamation. Cindy Markham with Amedisys is quoted as saying "November is National Home Care and Hospice Month and is a great time to honor and thank our home health and hospice caregivers who have helped carry the torch in our outstanding company."

Following the event, Bill Borne, CEO of Amedisys, issued the following statement:

This November, during National Home Care and Hospice month, we especially want to thank our caregivers who take care of our patients from coast to coast, and the staff who support them. Over the years our Company has extended its reach to become one of the leading home care and hospice providers in the nation and we wouldn't be here today without you!

We truly believe it is all about our people - you are the life of the Amedisys Spirit. Our country values freedoms that allow people to be with family, amongst friends and in their own home. Thanks to the services we provide, we enable people to remain at home, close to the things that are important to them, during recovery. Thank you for your efforts and helping us rise to the top. We pride ourselves on the services we offer and appreciate your allegiance to Amedisys!

John Tutle, Business Development Coordinator for the Salem-based SERVPRO of Roanoke, Montgomery & Pulaski Counties has been named "Volunteer of the Year" by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. John was presented this award at the Chamber's Annual Banquet & Awards Gala on Friday, November 13 at the Event Center in Christiansburg.

The Chamber honored businesses, leaders, volunteers, sponsors, and members who have fostered the work and ideas that the Chamber has championed over the last year.
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce was formed in March 2003 when the Blacksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Christiansburg-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce merged.

The Mission of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is to promote and develop a positive environment for the operation and growth of business in Montgomery County and the New River Valley.

Submitted by Brenda Giles, SERVPRO