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From left, Detective Stanley Malek; Officer Russell Brockenbrough; Dispatcher Tony Clayton; Officer Brockenbrough's son Kaleb Brokenbrough; and Officer Benjamin Moody.

This was originally submitted to and published in the November issue of the Salem VAMC newsletter "Just the Facts" by Dale Hendley. Public Affairs Officer Marian McConnell shares it with So Salem:

Recently several members of the Salem VA Police Service participated in the 2009 Mud Run. During the event, the team observed a female participant in medical distress. The team stopped their run, aided the female until medical personnel could arrive at the scene, and then the team continued with the run knowing that the assistance they provided greatly impacted their running score for the event. For their unselfishness and for doing what was right in aiding the runner, Detective Stanley Malek, Officer Russell (Carl) Brockenbrough, Officer Benjamin Moody, and Dispatcher Paul (Toney) Clayton, all of the Salem Veterans Affairs Police Service, were presented Certificates of Commendation.

We are having a Silent Auction and an indoor Yard Sale to support our pre-school. It will be held on Saturday November 21, 2009 from 8:30 until 1:00pm. It will be held rain or shine at Covenant Community Church off of Thompson Memorial on 955 Bird Lane Salem. Our Silent Auction will sponsor many local businesse's

Submitted by Jamie Ervine.

Barbara Krzysko shares this photo gallery from the Harvest Reading at Roanoke College to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank. Guest reader was Nancy Krygowski, winner of the 2006 Agnes Lynch Starrett Poetry Prize. Dr Robert Schultz (pictured here), co-author of 'We Were Pirates A Torpedoman's Pacific War' and professor in the English Dept of Roanoke College, read along with some of his creative writing students and other faculty. Donations of money and canned goods were collected.

Do you have photos of people or events around Salem? If so, you can share at news@sosalem.com just like Barbara did.

The description for the Salem Choral Society's concert on Nov. 15 is incorrect in today's print edition.  Here is the full listing with the correct description:

Name: The Salem Choral Society Presents "Love Me Tender"
Description: Great love songs of the 20th century - songs from each decade that you are sure to know and, well, LOVE! Gershwin, Webber, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Elton John and others. Also presenting the debut performance of an original composition from the "I Can Create Music" young composer's workshop featuring the work of Andrew Lewis Middle School students
Family Friendly: Yes
Venue: Andrew Lewis Middle School Auditorium
Address: 616 South College Avenue, Salem, VA, 24153
Cost Notes: Tickets are $15 Children and students are free. Tickets are available at the door and at the Salem Times Register office on Main St. Salem 389-9355 or at College Lutheran Church on College Ave. Salem 761-4727
Free:
Contact Name: Aaron Garber
Contact Email: info@salemchoralsociety.org
Contact Phone: (540) 761-4727
Website: http://salemchoralsociety.org
Ticket Website: http://www.salemchoralsociety.org
Category: Arts or Entertainment : Concerts :
Location: Yes
Event Dates: Nov 15, 2009 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

On October 31, Jerry and I went to the Roanoke Civic Center for Halloween Blast 2009.They had about 100 people who were Michael Johnson fans show off "Thriller" dances at the out door area of the Roanoke Civic Center.

Jerry dressed up to look like Michael Johnson, he wore Michael Johnson's wing, red jacket, and one hand glove and sparkle socks. When we stood in front of the stage. Who's Bad, a Michael Johnson cover band, was booked to perform at the party. The leader of the band called Jerry, as Michael to came to the stage where, Jerry enjoyed his moon walk.

Anyway, we spent all of night for Halloween Blast even though Jerry did not win the costume contest, but we enjoyed for the first time the Halloween party at Roanoke Civic Center.

Submitted by Annie Lin

The Salem Museum is hosting its Holiday Homes Tour from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. The inclement weather date is Dec. 23. Four delightfully decorated homes in the Fairway Forest neighborhood will be featured, including the fabulous Ridgewood mansion across from Lewis Gale Hospital, plus the Carriage House in Longwood Park, which will host a special Gingerbread House contest.

Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 the day of the tour, and they can be purchased in Salem at the museum, Countryside Classics, the Salem-Times Register, and Brooks Byrd Pharmacy; or in Roanoke at Rams Head Books. Tickets go on sale Nov. 19

Submitted by the Salem Museum

Charlotte Wright sent in this photo of the Meltezer and Childs Motorcycle Run held Sunday. The run started in Lynchburg and ended in Christiansburg. This was taken as the motorcycles came through Salem.

On Thursday, November 12 at 5 pm in Roanoke College’s Miller Hall lobby, the English department’s creative writing faculty and students, with special guest reader, Nancy Krygowsky will be reading a selection of their own creative works for the Harvest Reading, and will be raising funds and foods for Southwestern Virginia Second Harvest Food Bank. Donations of canned foods or monetary donations will be accepted. Readings will be followed by a light reception.

Faculty members who will read from their works include: Melanie Almeder, Cynthia Atkins, Mike Heller, Mary Crockett Hill, Cheryl Hopson, Sandee McGlaun, and Robert Schultz. Students will read from their work as well. Student readers are: Jade Davis, Jennifer Gianni, Thomas “Red” Jones, and Ryan MacSherry. Bryan Piatkowski will provide guitar accompaniment.

Roanoke College, an independent, co-educational, four-year liberal arts college in Salem, Virginia, combines firsthand learning with valuable personal connections in a classic, undergraduate setting. Roanoke prepares students for their futures through its commitment to providing a true classic college experience. Roanoke is one of just 276 colleges nationwide with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society. The Princeton Review names Roanoke as one of the “best in the Southeast.”

For additional information, call the Roanoke College Public Relations Office at (540) 375-2282.

Submitted by Roanoke College Public Relations Office.

“Enchanted Eve” is Roanoke County’s alcohol-free, community inspired, New Year’s Eve celebration, which provides a wide range of alternative possibilities to the traditional New Year’s revelry. This year’s theme is “Travel Through Time.” Step back in time to the decade of your choice as you mark the advent of this New Year’s Eve and a night to remember. Various streets and buildings along a portion of Washington Avenue will make an amazing transformation with thrilling performances and fabulous activities. Main venues are the Charles Hill Recreation Center, Thrasher United Methodist Church, Vinton War Memorial and all along Washington Avenue. Don’t forget the countdown to midnight, the grand processional and the spectacular fireworks display with a breathtaking finale!

This year, the Town of Vinton will be transported through 10 exciting decades. Take an old fashioned carriage ride from long ago or embark on an electrifying Twitter scavenger hunt from Here and Now. Don your poodle skirt at the Sock Hop and learn a few new dance moves at the Beach Blast. When you’re ready for a break, sit back and enjoy all the live entertainment. “Jesse & James, and the gang” is a nationally-renowned act that has performed for esteemed guests such as President George H. Bush and President Bill Clinton. This act’s hilarious physical comedy and parade of trained dogs will make their “Mutts Gone Nuts” show one to you won’t soon forget. Don’t forget to try your luck in the casino or make your singing debut at the Enchanted Idol singing competition. This year’s Idol will win a six-month family membership to Roanoke County’s Green Ridge Center and lead the celebrating crowd in Auld Lang Syne – a fantastic end to an unbelievable evening.

All this and more awaits you when you purchase an Enchanted Eve button at any of our local button outlets. In advance, buttons will cost: $7 adults, $3 children ages 3-12. Night of: $9 adults, $5 children ages 3-12. Those under age 3 are free. Please note that Washington Ave. from Poplar Street to Mountain View Road will be closed to vehicle traffic from 5 PM until 1 AM to allow revelers to enjoy the evening and the many activities planned along this corridor. For more information and complete details or to volunteer please visit www.RoanokeCountyParks.com or call 540-387-6078. Enchanted Eve is an event of Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism in cooperation with the Town of Vinton.

Submitted by Wendi Schultz, CFEE, Tourism and Event Coordinator, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Council, Boy Scouts of America will be recognizing the 173 young men who have achieved the top rank of Eagle Scout this year.  The Eagle Scouts provided 30,680 hours of community service as part of their Eagle Projects, dedicating their time and talents to churches, community centers, parks, and many others. This year's Eagle Class has been named in honor of volunteer Dennis Woolwine, from Troop 130 in Hardy, Virginia.

In addition to recognizing this year's class of Eagle Scouts, 7 volunteers will be presented with the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished and outstanding service to youth.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Council Annual Recognition Banquet will be held Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the Roanoke Sheraton Hotel from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Reservations are $40 per person and the deadline to register is 5 p.m. on Nov. 9, 2009. To make a reservation, please e-mail helenef@bsa-brmc.org, or call 540.265.0656.

Silver Beaver Award Recipients:

William "Bill" E. Brown, Jr. (Salem)
Bill has been an exemplary Scouting volunteer and Leader for twenty years. Bill attends summer camp each year and enjoys facilitating high adventure activities. Mr. Brown is currently serving in his sixth year as an Executive Board Member.

Patrick J. "Pat" Costa (Fincastle)
Mr. Costa became an Assistant Scoutmaster in 1987, a role which he continues today. He has served for many years on a variety of Scout Committees. He is an active and faithful member of Tutelo Lodge. Mr. Costa  will serve as Assistant Scoutmaster for the national Jamboree next year.

John Johnson (Roanoke)
John Johnson began his Scouting career as an adult, when he became an Assistant Scoutmaster. He has served in several roles, currently as Vice President/District Operation on the Executive Committee of the Council's Board.

Nancy McDaniel (Roanoke)
Mrs. McDaniel became active with Scouting in 2003. Since then, she has served in a wide variety of roles including Committee Chair, Commissioner, and instructor. Nancy currently serves as the Council's Cub Scout Activities Chair and Webelos Resident Camp Program Director.

Alfred "Fred" Anderson (Vinton)

Mr. Anderson has enjoyed a lifetime dedicated to Scouting. He has served on both the Advisory Board and the Executive Boards and was a member of the Claytor Lake Campaign Steering Committee. Today, he is as a member of the Council's Nominating Committee, Finance Committee, and the Chair of the Audit Committee.

Jerry "Smith" Chaney, Jr. (Martinsville)
Smith Chaney began Scouting at the Age of 7, and later earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Since then, he has served in many leadership roles, including Unit Leader, Charter Organization Representative, Committee Chairman, District Chairman and Chairman of the Claytor Lake Development Committee. He has served on the Council Executive Board for the last 8 years.

David "Dave" Clark (Danville)
Dave Clark began Scouting as a Cub Scout and eventually earned the rank of Life Scout.  Dave has since served as an Advisor with a Post/Crew, as a Unit Commissioner, District Venturing Chairman, and many others. Mr. Clark has spent 40 summers as a member of a Boy Scout Camp Staff and over 30 years as a Professional with the Boy Scouts.

The Blue Ridge Mountains Council of the Boy Scouts of America includes 21 counties and eight cities in southwest and south central Virginia with council headquarters located in Roanoke, Virginia.  The Council received the National Quality Council Award in 2008 for exceeding the goals established by the Boy Scouts of America.

Submitted by Marla Baker, Communications Specialist, Blue Ridge Mountains Council, Boy Scouts of America.