May 30, 2008Relay for Life at Green Hill Park
Roanoke's Relay for Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, is going on as we speak in Green Hill Park. Photographer Erin Millar captured scenes from Friday evening, including the first lap for cancer survivors. Look for people you know in a So Salem photo gallery from the event. Also, mark your calendars: Salem's Relay for Life will be June 20. Anne Scott McKenney (left) and Mallory Jengo of Salem enjoy the festivities at Relay For Life in Green Hill Park on May 30th. Photo by Erin Millar I Special to So Salem Photos of Salem boys' tennis Here are two photos of Patrick O'Keefe of Salem High School during Thursday's Region IV singles championship. O'Keefe defeated Ryan Davis of Cave Spring 6-1, 6-3. Do you have photos of Salem sports? If so, you can share them at news@sosalem.com. Our last post about Salem High School was earlier today. Photos by Shaozhuo Cui. Fan photos of Salem youth soccer Lynwood Hall sends us this delightful photo of the Salem Y Gold Team. A more conventional team photo is below. From left to right: Archer Hall, Samuel Miles, James Miles, Ariana Pineda, Matthew Ewing, Saylor Bane, Ethan Morrell. (Grayson Bane not pictured.) If you have photos from sports events in Salem, you can send 'em to us at news@sosalem.com
Glenvar branch hosts this year's last Little House Doll Social 
Prarie dogs, pancakes, and even pig bladders were up for discussion at the Glenvar Library last night for around 20 pre-registered kids and their parents. Children's librarians from various Roanoke County locations helped to put together the program, which included a reading from Little House Book "Prarie Day" and three stations with activities that helped them learn what life was like for kids back in the 19th century. Corn pancakes, an old fashioned pitting machine, and real beef jerkey were explained by Dawn Cheyney, a librarian at Glenvar. Kimberly Burnette-Dean, who used to work at Explore Park, played the dulcimer and explained old fashioned musical instruments, and Amy Holley explained prarie life with items like a jar of buttons, old-fashioned toys, and games. Holley also explained how kids used pig bladders as balloons before rubber balloons were available. Check out the Roanoke County library website for upcoming activities, storytime and summer reading programs at the Glenvar Library and other county branches. For upcoming events at the Salem Public Library, click here. Continue reading "Glenvar branch hosts this year's last Little House Doll Social" » Salem church offers discounted groceriesTemple Baptist Church on Daugherty Road in Salem has joined the Angel Food Ministries program to offer discounted groceries. Religion writer Rob Johnson has details on his Focus on Faith blog. Photo from Salem's softball victory over Patrick County If you've seen today's Roanoke Times, you'll find two photos from Salem's softball victory over Patrick County on Thursday. Here's another -- of pitcher Ellen Weaver celebrating after the 4-0 win that puts the Spartans into today's championship game. You can also read about the game here. We had fan photos from Salem softball on May 23. If you have fan photos from this or any other game, be it varsity sports or youth league sports, you can send 'em to us at news@sosalem.com. Photo by Kyle Green May 29, 2008An online guide to the May 30 print edition of So SalemOur latest issue of So Salem comes out Friday, destined to reach more than 90 percent of the households in Salem and western Roanoke County. (How do we do that? Here’s how: Subscribers to The Roanoke Times get it included in their Friday paper; non-subscribers have it mailed to them as part of the weekly Simply Savings advertising flier. Those two add up to more than 90 percent. Plus, we have some free copies available at these locations.) In the May 30 issue, you’ll see several places where we direct folks online for more photos or other coverage. Consider this blog post your shepherd to point out where those links are: SPECIAL ONLINE EXTRAS * Our special shout-out to graduating seniors To find out how to get your news and photos in So Salem, plus a special mystery feature, keep reading: Continue reading "An online guide to the May 30 print edition of So Salem" » No dirty dogs in Salem Our Happy Wag pet blogger has been to the Six Wags Dog Park in Salem several times, but has yet to check out the doggy bath tubs. She's curious what folks think of the Dirty Dog Clean Dog Wash, which can be used by anyone, not just dog park members. For more, click here. (Photo from Six Wags Dog Park Web site) Salem, Roanoke County crime map updated through late May We've just updated our Roanoke Valley crime map with the latest offenses from Salem and Roanoke County -- and Roanoke, as well. The data includes Roanoke County offenses through May 25 and Salem offenses through May 26. In Salem last week, there were 10 larcenies, one burglary and two aggravated assaults. In western Roanoke County during that time there were two larcenies. 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: An interactive map where you can see how Virginia's population will age, locality by locality, between now and 2030. If you want free gas, eat beans That's what the sign outside the Pure Fast Stop in Apperson Drive says these days. Business writer Jeff Stugeon talks to co-owner Jaime Gianni about why he put up the sign. Here's the story. May 28, 2008The Class of ‘08 shout-out begins!
If you’re a graduating senior from Salem or Glenvar (or live in zip code 24153 and attend a private school or are home-schooled) , send us your blurb -- your favorite part of high school, what you’ll be doing next, and a photo -- to news@sosalem.com and we’ll use it in an upcoming issue. Summer, here we come! Photos from Fort Lewis field day
Fort Lewis Elementary celebrated the end of the school year yesterday, May 28, with the well-known tradition of field day. With SOLs finished and nine days of school left, what better to do? Does your school have a field day or special end-of-year event coming up? Call our community journalist, Miranda Adkins, at 981-3342 with the date or send pictures of your students after the fact to news@sosalem.com! Photo: Adam Mitchell, left, and Paige Stinson, right, take a quick break while fellow fifth-graders spend the last few minutes of field day frolicking on the inflatable maze. Our last post about Fort Lewis Elementary was April 28. Roanoke College's 4x100 team takes 2nd at NCAA NationalsJaLeesa Osborne, Robin Yerkes, Tiffany France, and Kate Mason made Roanoke College history with their second place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this past weekend in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The women's team earned 27 points and placed fifth overall, with top-notch performances by Yerkes in the 200-meter dash and long jump, and Osborn's performance in the long jump. RC assistant coach Shelli Sayers was named the South/Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the year. May 27, 2008Ben Chester receives Pamplin Leader Award at Glenvar High
The Pamplin Leader is a one-year, $1,000 tuition scholarship to Virginia Tech. It is presented annually to a top student from each public high school in Virginia. It was established by Robert B. Pamplin Sr. (VT, Class of ’33) and Robert B. Pamplin Jr., to acknowledge students with a record of outstanding achievement that is balanced with a commitment to community service and leadership experience. Photo courtesy of Ben Chester. Our last post about Glenvar High School was May 20. Fellowship Community holds Community Celebration Day
About 2500 guests showed up to Fellowship Community's "Community Celebration Day" on Sunday, May 25. That figure will be updated a little bit later, once they finish the count, but they ran out of 1800 hot dogs at 1:30. Carnival games, inflatables, and facepainting weren't the only fun attractions. A free money pit, racy models from local car dealerships, truckers, bikers, and local fire and police departments made appearances, too! Free food, snow cones, and cupcakes from local businesses and the church kept everybody watered and well fed for Memorial Day weekend. Above: Cody McGlothlin holds little sister Alyssa Cosko on Alan Ward's Harley Davidson Street Glider. Continue reading "Fellowship Community holds Community Celebration Day" » May 23, 2008Photos of Salem softball's victory over Hidden Valley We have fan photos from Salem High School's softball victory over Hidden Valley in the district tournament Thursday. They were taken by a Hidden Valley fan, Quigg Lawrence, but he recognizes a good photo when he sees one. Here, of course, is the victory celebration. Below, Ellen Weaver is greeted at home plate after smacking a home run in her first at-bat. Quigg says: "She's the real deal!" Bottom: Salem's second baseman fields a pop-up. Do you have photos from youth sports events around Salem? If so, you can send them to us at news@sosalem.com. That's what Quigg Lawrence did, and he's not even a Salemite! Continue reading "Photos of Salem softball's victory over Hidden Valley" » May 22, 2008An online guide to the May 23 edition of So SalemHello again. Our latest issue of So Salem hits the streets Friday. As you may have figured out by now, we often use the print edition to refer to things online where we have more photos or more coverage. Well, you've found The Notebook, where all those things are. This is our news blog which we update multiple times each day -- so to make things easy for you, here are the links to some of the things we're talking up this week in print: * Photos from our ice cream party at the Lakeside Kroger * Dickey's BBQ closing, temporarily, to change owners * Webcast praises Megan Marsico of Glenvar High School * Fan photos of Salem High School softball * Fan photos of Salem lacrosse * People with Salem license plates * National College sets graduation date To find out how to get your news and photos in So Salem, keep reading: Continue reading "An online guide to the May 23 edition of So Salem" » What are all the motorcycles for? If you're seeing a lot of motorcycles around Salem today, here's why: The annual Run for the Wall motorcycle ride, which includes a stop at the Virginia Veterans' Care Center. For more, see this report by Cathy Benson over on our Botetourt County news site (don't worry, she mentions Salem.) Coming to a local kindergarden near you!
First United Methodist Daycare and Preschool director Jane Butto and teachers Tracy Lintner, Vivien MacMahan, Susan Turner, and Debbie Holly shared a mixture of pride and sadness with parents and grandparents as 39 children graduated from preschool Wednesday, May 21. Salem, Roanoke County crime map updated through May 18We've just updated our Roanoke Valley crime map with the latest offenses from Salem and Roanoke County -- and Roanoke, as well. The data includes offenses through May 18. In Salem last week, there were four larcenies and one robbery, and when you map them, well, you see a definitely pattern. 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: What's the biggest fish caught in the Roanoke River? Has there been a bear sighted in your neck of the woods? Who's giving to which political candidate? All that and more. Virginia Tech football player Dustin Pickle visits with local students
Bright and early this Thursday morning, students involved with FCA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, clubs around the valley met at First Baptist Church on Third Street in downtown Roanoke for their last meeting of the year. Special guests included Virginia Tech running back Dustin Pickle, his girlfriend, 2007 Miss Virginia Lauren Barnette, and Virginia Tech football chaplain Johnny Shelton. Pickle attended Glenvar High School until his junior year, when he transferred over to Salem High School. He graduated in 2005. Barnette is from Wise and is a student at VT. Top left, Glenvar crowd: from left, Rusty Galbreath, Thomas McConnell, Dustin Pickle, Brandon Fox, Zach Hill, Kelly Hill, and Heather Keating. Continue reading "Virginia Tech football player Dustin Pickle visits with local students" » May 21, 2008Zaxby's will open Monday The new chicken restaurant on West Main Street in Salem will open Monday. For details, see business writer Jenny Boone's latest post on her retail blog, The Storefront. We had a previous post about the new Zaxby's on April 11. May 20, 2008Salem's Steve Agee confirmed as a federal judgeThis just in: Steve Agee of Salem is now a federal judge. The U.S. Senate has just confirmed his nomination to the federal appeals court. Until now, he's been on the Virginia Supreme Court -- and once represented Salem and parts of Roanoke County in the House of Delegates. For more on this story, click here. Our previous post on Agee's nomination was May 1. Photos from the Salem Lacrosse Foundation tournament The Salem Lacrosse Foundation’s first ever Salem Invitational Tournament saw division champions from four of the six clubs represented – including the host Salem Youth Lacrosse Club. At left, Salem elementary girls Coach Jennifer Harris prepares to lead the team of second through fifth graders in a cheer to start play. We'll have more photos from Salem lacrosse in Friday's print editions of So Salem.
Continue reading "Photos from the Salem Lacrosse Foundation tournament" » Webcast: Glenvar's Megan Marsico "peaking at the right time"Glenvar High School sophomore Megan Marsico gets a favorable mention on this week's Varsity Cast, our weekly high school sports webcast, after her stellar performance in last weekend's Three Rivers District meet. She gets her kudos at about the 4:30 mark. Our last post about Glenvar High School was May 5. May 19, 2008One Salem family takes an easy Monday afternoon fishing
Noah Perdue, front, a Glen Cove Elementary student, waits for a bite on the line with his grandfather, Toby Baldwin, middle, and his dad, Brian Perdue, back. Many fishermen were trying their luck this balmy May Monday along the Roanoke River as the rain threatened but did little but sprinkle. Photos of Salem High School softball Quigg Lawrence sends us these photos of Salem High School softball player Ellen Weaver in action Friday against Hidden Valley. That's the game where Weaver struck out 11 and hit a home run, as Salem won 7-3 to claim the River Ridge District regular-season title. Here, we see the camera capture Weaver's wind-up. But Lawrence said he prefers the artsy photo below: "I have many "frozen photos" but I like this one because it shows motion and how fast weaver pitches. That is what the Batters see!!" Click "continue" if you don't see it. Dickey's Barbecue Pit closes, but will reopenDickey's Barbecue Pit on West Main Street in Salem has changed hands, and will reopen within the week. For details, see business writer Jenny Boone's retail blog, The Storefront. Salem High School's Lindsay Maxwell wins top prize at art show
Salem High School's Lindsay Maxwell won Best in Show and also won the Wentworth Prize for Best Use of Media in her work "Aftermath". Keep reading for the complete press release of winners, and click here to go to the Salem High School website . Continue reading "Salem High School's Lindsay Maxwell wins top prize at art show" » East Salem's PTA yard sale a success
Kym writes: "Our parents and members of the school staff supported us wonderfully by getting to the school at 6am Saturday morning to help set-up. They were there all day to help straighten and organize the items. Others came later in the day to help take things down and haul unsold items to Goodwill. My mom, Becky Lester, was a huge help in making this such a success." Click here for our previous blog from May 15. Photo courtesy of Kym Tennant. Salem golfer wins Roanoke Valley Senior Tour tournament
Lee Hipp of Salem, at left, was the overall winner in the Roanoke Valley Senior Tour tournament held on May 13th at Countryside Golf Club. Hipp, playing in Division 1, had the low net score of 61. He also claimed the low gross score with a 69. Other net score winners in Division 1 were 2nd place Woody Deans with a 63; 3rd, 4th, and 5th were decided by matching score cards with Art Lawrence taking 3rd, Butch Church 4th, and Lynnis Vernon 5th, all with scores of 65. Photo and brief courtesy of Tommy Firebaugh. "Go Salem" found, with "Go 24153" to boot!
Salem Avalanche fans and stadium employees Jeanne Dillman, right, and Betty Parks, left, pose with their Salem vanity plates. Parks wrote in to us about her plates, and her son, Hunter, a sophomore at Roanoke College, knew exactly who had "Go Salem" -- his friend Bradford's mom, Jeanne! The Bradfords and Dillmans have lived near one another since their sons were children, and they have worked for the Avalanche together since Betty joined seven years ago. Dillman has worked at the stadium since it opened in 1995. Dillman's husband, pictured below, actually owns the "Go Salem" vehicle. 
We had other Salem-related license plates from Jill Sluss on May 9, and Becky Holt on May 9 and May 14. Do you have a Salem license plate? Send us a photo and let us know at news@sosalem.com. Bird rescue at Salem Avalanche game!
As if a rained out Avalanche game on Sunday weren't enough, this little fellow couldn't fly to get back up to his nest. Salem Rescue Squad member Ryan Webster saved the feathery baseball fan and waited for animal control to pick him up. Photos from our ice cream party at Lakeside Kroger Thanks to all who came out Saturday and joined us for an ice cream party at the Lakeside Kroger -- such as Sara Bryant and Logan Bryant right here. We have more photos from the party in our gallery -- and we'll be running some of these in Friday's print edition of So Salem. And if you see someone you know in the gallery, tell 'em about it! May 16, 2008Free blood pressure, glucose, and heart rhythm monitoring MondayIn recognition of Emergency Medical Services week, National College is hosting an open house Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone interested can attend. Students from the Emergency Medical Technology and Medical programs will be there to administer the tests. The purpose of Emergency Medical Services week is to bring local communities and medical personnel in order to publicize safety and honor those who provide day-to-day lifesaving services. National College is at 1813 East Main Street, near the intersection at Electric Road. Our last post on National College was May 13. Hotdog dinner and concert this Sunday, May 18Head out to the Mountain Pass Baptist Church on Virginia 311 to get dinner and to help sponsor the Salem Relay for Life. Donations will be taken for the relay. Dinner starts at 4:30 p.m.; the concert by "Abide in Me" will start at 6 p.m. May 15, 2008Pledge to wear seatbelt brings rewards for eight Salem students Last month during two lunch periods, 387 Salem High students pledged to wear their seatbelts for an entire year as a gift to a friend or loved one. Eight of those students were randomly selected to win $50 or $100 cash prizes as a reward for their potentially life-saving promise. "You can't think about it when your car is sliding or someone is head-on toward you; you don't have time to buckle up," co-sponsor Sam Lionberger thanked them, citing two different accident victims, both family and family-friend, that would have survived if they had buckled up. Photo: front left to right Lt. Guthries, Chief Bryant, Kristi Davidson, Allison Shannon, Olivia Shingleton, Brook Blankenship, Kyle Walker, Kayla McKern, Rachel Gresham, Lt. Parries, Lt. Kennedy. Winner not pictured: Crystal Davis Continue reading "Pledge to wear seatbelt brings rewards for eight Salem students" » |