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Look for our paparazzi photo crew at the Cave Spring - Hidden Valley game

Our paparazzi photo crew will be at Friday night's Cave Spring - Hidden Valley game. If you want your photo taken, the crew will be set up near the snack bar. Just look for the SWoCo backdrop and the red carpet, and get in line! We'll likely be posting the photos online sometime Monday right here at www.swo-co.com.

But wait, that's not all! You can also get a SWoCo car decal while you're at the game. Bonus points if you get one and share a photo with us later showing you putting it on your car. Or your skateboard. Just not the neighbor's cat . . .

You can share your photos at news@swo-co.com.

Is Sarah Palin coming to Southwest Roanoke County?

The former Republican vice presidential candidate is on a nationwide book tour to promote her book, "Going Rogue." The Associated Press reports today that one of her confirmed stops in Roanoke -- and that many of her appearances are associated with the Barnes and Noble chain.

Barnes and Noble has two stores in Roanoke -- one at Tanglewood, one at Valley View.

So will we see the former Alaska governor at Tanglewood?

We're working on getting details about Palin's visit. When we find out more, we'll let you know.

Until then, here's what we know.

Cave Spring High School wins 1st place in the 2009 Red Ribbon Week High School Competition

Cave Spring High School won first place in the 2009 Red Ribbon Week High School Competition sponsored by the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC)!  Out of the entire region's public and private schools, Cave Spring High School ’s SADD Club won first place.  They were honored on November 1, 2009 at Hotel Roanoke where they received a $200.00 award and a plaque.

Cave Spring High School’s Red Ribbon Week activities included a display of a crashed car outside the school with the message “I was the life of the party, look at me now”, an enormous red ribbon display on the front of the school, and red ribbons that were put up all around the school.  Cave Spring High School invited many guest speakers throughout the week to come and share their personal experiences concerning drunk-drivers.  There was a school-wide door decorating contest with many creative themes and prevention messages.  Also, during lunches, there were beer goggles available for any of the students to wear and attempt to perform multiple everyday tasks.  During Red Ribbon Week, two public service announcements that had originally aired on Channel 7 (WDBJ7) were played during the morning announcements.  The SADD club finished off the week with a “Wheel of Misfortune” game at the Cave Spring vs. Christiansburg football game.  Students spun a wheel and answered a question about the risks of alcohol and other drugs for a prize.  Congratulations SADD club and many thanks to the CSHS PTA, parents, and teachers for their support!

Pictured is (from left to right): Erin Smith (CSHS student), Ms. Susan Dobbs (CSHS SAP coordinator), and Sarah Murphy (CSHS student), and Kathy Sullivan of RAYSAC

Submitted by Rebecca Siar

Photo: U12 Boys Champion (Cowboys)

Pictured here are the U12 Boys Champion (Cowboys) soccer team.

Top row: Coaches Matt Lucas and Ron Willard; 2nd Row: Bailey Wood, Jared Steele, Drew Lucas, Cody Hayden, Bennett Desimone, Sean Altice; Bottom Row: Paxton Daniels, Trey Willard, Deven Musselman, Nathan Mcvey, Travis Finch and Jason Quakenbush.

Submitted by Ron Willard

Sara Equi is honored during College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences annual awards ceremony

The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Faculty and Student Recognition Reception and Program was recently held in Owens Banquet Hall. After a welcome and introduction from Sue Ott Rowlands, dean of the college, 64 students were presented with 18 different scholarships.

During the ceremony, Sara Equi of Roanoke, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences was presented the Mary Karen Read Memorial Scholarship.

The Mary Karen Read Memorial Scholarship was established in memory and in honor of Mary Read who was lost on April 16, 2007. She was a freshman majoring in interdisciplinary studies and was active in Campus Crusade for Christ. Read loved spending time with her family and friends, especially on trips to the mountains, the beach, and the lake and was happiest when helping others, especially children.

John Myers is honored during College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences annual awards ceremony

The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Faculty and Student Recognition Reception and Program was recently held in Owens Banquet Hall. After a welcome and introduction from Sue Ott Rowlands, dean of the college, 64 students were presented with 18 different scholarships.

During the ceremony, John Myers of Roanoke, a junior majoring in political science and history in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences was presented the Hokie Memorial Marathon Scholarship.

The Hokie Memorial Marathon Scholarship was established by Logan M. Thompson and Julia M. Kott in honor and in memory of those lost and wounded on April 16, 2007. Thompson and Kott co-coordinated a marathon in which 100 runners solicited sponsors and donated all proceeds to this endowment. To date, the scholarship endowment has received more than 1,300 gifts, for a combined total of nearly $150,000.

Photo: Valley AFC Arsenal U12Boys

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.

Pictured are (bottom row from L to R) George Funk (SW Roanoke County), Christian Loop (SW Roanoke County), Noah Averill (SW Roanoke County), Zach Kanode (SW Roanoke County), Andy Lax (SW Roanoke County); (backrow from L to R) Elliot Murdock (SW Roanoke County), Andy Waldo (SW Roanoke County), Chase Zegarski (SW Roanoke County), Drake Breeden (North Roanoke County), Dylan White (Troutville), Michael Innacelli (SW Roanoke County), Sam Burton (SW Roanoke County), head coach Dave Stuart
Submitted by Kathy Innacelli

Photos: Lewis and Dorothy Angell celebrate 74 years of marriage

On Friday, Oct. 30 the Angell family celebrated a great accomplishment. Lewis and Dorothy Angell celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary with their four children, Guy Angell, Joanne Kennedy, Connie Slone, and Joe Angell at Loyalton with cake and many memories.

"We were raised up together," Lewis said about how he met Dorothy. "She lived on one side of the railroad tracks and I on the other."

Both Lewis and Dorothy grew up in Boones Mill. They recalled beginning their courtship when they were 15 or 16-years-old. The two got married at age 19 in 1935.

Together they parented six children, four of which are still living today and still live in the Roanoke Area. They also have eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Lewis worked as a bailiff at the Roanoke County Sheriffs Department and Dorothy stayed home to raise their children.

"They were great parents and we always respected them and we still respect them," Slone said.

"They both worked very hard and thought of us first," Guy said. "Mama used to make us pick out our switches and Daddy always kept our cars running."

Photos: Jimmie (Jim) Allman builds his dream

Jimmie (Jim) Allman has been a hard worker all his life- always doing for others and never stopping until the job was done. His life-partner, Fran Holt can vouch for that.

After years of hard work, Allman finally decided to do something for himself. He decided to build a garage where he could pursue his passion of restoring old cars and of building things. But what started out as a small project, eventually turned into something much bigger.

"Every since I can remember, growing up, we had a garage. It was dark and very narrow and damp," Allman said. "I learned I didn't have enough room to work on my cars and always dreamed about having a garage with a work area. It's a guy thing."

Allman has worked many jobs throughout his life as a manager for various companies like Advanced Auto, as a credit and finance manager, and even ran his own business as a general contractor, Jim Allman & Associates and Sunshine Lawn Care. At age 48, he was let go from one of his jobs and decided he'd go back to school. He officially retired in 2002, but didn't stop working until 2006.

Allman presented his idea for his 'boy's club' to two friends in the Spring of 2008. With help from Steve Prime, a Class A general contractor, and Matt Carlton, a former Marine, the job is currently complete only from the outside. And let's not forget his friend and neighbor Dick Martin who designed the 'Boy's Club' sign for the outside of the garage.

Holt was extremely excited about Allman's project because she knew it would make him happy, but more importantly it would give him a home for all his tools.

"He helped other people realize their dream with his expertise and ingenuity- he worked hard for his dream," Holt said. "The smiles I will see are worth it."

Everything for the building is underground including the water, electric, and cable. The building stands 24 feet wide and 36 feet long. And what would have been a typical garage turned into a barn style garage after Allman decided he wanted storage space.

The garage has  a porch on the side, a lounge area which will soon be equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, recliner, a non-functioning coal stove used as a table, love seat, stereo system, color TV hooked up to surround sound, fireplace and carpet. Another room consists of a workshop which will be equipped with plumbing, electrical, and two wrap around work stations with lighting and shelving. It can also hold two vehicles, has pull down stairs to reach storage space above, and has 16 speakers in the wall so he can listen to 96.3- his favorite radio station. He also has electrical outlets outside and an electric hoist that will live about 650 pounds into his storage space above the workshop. In the future, Allman will install air conditioning, heat, and a gas furnace so that he can work through each season.

Allman jokes, 'Girls are allowed only by appointment' in the boy's club and Holt said he gets bathroom privileges since there isn't a bathroom in his garage, but only in the basement.

"It was challenging," Allman said. "We had no plans. I had it in my mind. Each day we'd meet in the morning and decide what we'd do that day. One thing led to another, which led to another, so that's why it ended up the way it did."

"It cost more than he anticipated, but the money he made during work and that he invested is how he realized his dream. It's been hard work on his part. He made lemonade out of lemons," Holt said.

"I'm out of words," Allman said about his dream come true. "It took me a long time to get to this point. It's like this car (the one he restored), the happiest was when I was building it and the saddest was when I completed it. I don't think I'll ever be finished with this. I'll always add things and change things. I can build in here, I can help my neighbors, and  I can invite my neighbors and friends to enjoy it with me."

Allman and Holt plan on having a party next spring to celebrate its completion. They plan to invite all of their neighbors and friends to check it out.

"I just want people to see what came out of three guys, and the hours, and how everybody came together from a fault, a wish, a dream," Allman said. "Just watching it grow has been so satisfying. To see what I've accomplished- I don't have to give it to anyone else, it's mine."

From Fran Holt:

"At the top and the end of a driveway, in the back of a home on Bridle Lane, in SW Roanoke County, sits the culmination of one man's hard work, and a life long dream. As his life partner, I was present when this project began approximately a year ago. As each step of this process has unfolded, it has been a journey I never thought I would take. I could never have foreseen the many emotions, ups and downs, anxieties and fears that would come with such an undertaking. I think I have aged 10 years. As a woman, I focused on the dirt and dust, and just plain MESS all of this construction has brought. It has been quite an experience- but worth it all, because of the pleasure it has brought to the man that I love. I leave HIS story of the experience for him to tell, but as the WOMAN BEHIND THE MAN, I can honestly say I am happy the "garage" (which has seemed to turn into a barn) is complete on the outside, and look forward to when he can get the inside complete, and move some of the clutter on the inside of our home, to his domain. I must mention that God as blessed us with many wonderful people who have helped build this dream. Without His help, none of this would have been possible. I will just sign off as Fran- the Garage Widow."

Paparazzi photos from Tanglewood Mall's trick-or-treat

Our paparazzi photo crew was at Tanglewood Mall for the mall's annual trick-or-treat event, and so were a lot of people from Southwest Roanoke County.

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@swto-co.com.

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