Glenvar High school sophomore Allison Crotts raised $1,065 for St. Jude’s Miracle Network before school started this year. She knocked on a lot of doors and went to a lot of businesses herself, but she also let So Salem know that she was raising money for St. Jude’s Children’s Miracle Network, and we posted the information back in August.

Awesome work, Allison!

Click here to see the original article.

If you’d like to send news to So Salem, email it to news@sosalem.com or call 981-3342.

Roanoke College Theatre Productions gave South Salem and GW Carver elementary schools a preview of its “Jack and the Wonderbeans” production. The final performance of the interactive play will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 in Olin Hall Theatre at the college. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots or a ticket price of $2 for children under 11, $5 for 12 and up. A story set in Appalachia, Jack’s “mam” sends him to sell their dry cow so that they can buy food. This play is a little different than the regular old kiddie play about a tall tale. Four audience members actually get to take part in the acting by being cows and chickens, and the audience is asked to create the sound effects. Jack, played by Roanoke College student Ryan Webster, acts from within the audience, hiding, as he avoids being made into a “tadwhacker stew.”

There’s one more thing that might be surprising to elementary audience members, too. Jack and his mother speak real Appalachian, and some of the words they use haven’t been heard around these parts in quite a while. And most of those words are pretty fun to say! Some include: tadwhacker (a small child), sass (vegetables), crumble-in (bread crumbled in a bowl of milk sprinkled with sugar), poke (bag or sack), shike-poke (bag of bones).

For more information, call Lisa Warren at 375-2355.

From left, Greg Alouf, Susan Beckner, and Stephen Alouf. Photo Miranda Adkins, So Salem

Life on the front lines for soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq doesn’t seem like it would be comfortable, obviously, but when Susan Beckner realized some basic needs going unfulfilled for many troops, she found herself wanting to do something about it.

“We always taught our son to share, so we always sent extra in his care packages,” Beckner said. Once she started to realize just how long it could take for a PX truck to reach the front lines of the war, she wanted to do something about it.

“Pictures I saw gave me a new look on things,” she said. Some of the lengths the soldiers have to go through to cook food other than what’s in their military survival food pack. They also sometimes don’t get the chance to experience routine creature comforts like daily showering and other things that folks back home often take forgranted.

Operation Military Parents is an organization with a lot of parents from Botetourt, but they serve Roanoke and the surrounding area. They’re based out of Christ’s Church at Northside on Florist Road in Roanoke. They send care packages out to soldiers, but they also help servicemen and women and their families here at home, too.

Her doctor, Greg Alouf a cosmetic physician, who had been her father’s primary care physician about a decade ago, is someone she always goes to for advice. He’s pretty much like a little brother to her, she said.

So when OMP was having trouble with last year’s Christmas delivery, she asked Greg Alouf and his brother, Stephen Alouf a cosmetic dentist, if they’d like to help, they jumped right on board.

“Just because they’re in the military, that doesn’t mean they’re taken care of – sometimes they don’t have the basics,” Stephen said.

And though they need and get help putting items in the care packages, they also have to think about the shipping, too. Beckner said their shipping cost them over $8000 last year, and they’re getting ready to send over a big batch of Christmas gifts – 7500 gift bags filled with basics like toothbrushes, deodorant, beef jerky, small but useful things for those who find themselves camping out in the desert in a humvee for months at a time.

For more information about Operation Military Parents, you can visit their website at www.operationmilitaryparents.com or call 476-0486. A complete list of requested and needed items is on their website. Their mailing address is c/o Christ’s Church at Northside, 5110 Florist Rd. NW, Roanoke VA 24012.

Food Items
-Slim Jims and Beef Jerky
-Deviled Ham, Vienna Sausages
-Chicken or Ham Salad (premixed in cans)
-Beanie Weenies, Pork n’ Beans (small cans)
-Microwave Popcorn
-Microwave Meals
-Hot Chocolate or Hot Cider Mix
-Potato Chips, Pretzles, Corn Chips, Peanuts
-Breakfast Bars, Power Bars, Granola Bars
-Pop Tarts Cookies, Peanut Butter or Cheese Nabs
-Pudding Cups (no refridgeration required)
-Fruit Mix, Trail Mix, Dried Fruit
-Little Debbie Snacks
-Hard Candy, Gummy Bears, Candy Taffy
-Instant Soups
-Cereal

Personal Items
-Baby Wipes
-Combs and Hair Brushes
-Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Mouthwash (plastic bottles only)
-Hand and Foot Lotion
-Hand Sanitizer
-Twin Bed Sheets (black,tan or grey)
-Women’s Tolietries (sanitary items)
-Foot Powder and Baby Powder
-Socks (black, tan or grey)
-Hand Warmers
-Air Fresheners
-CD’s (any kind)
-Small Pocket Bibles
-Puzzle Books
-Hand Held Games
-International Calling Cards
-Handwritten notes of encouragement and support

Annie Lin shares how proud she is of her son in this letter and shares the above photos. Congratulations Jerry!

On October 30,2009, Jerry and I were invited to Roanoke valley employment champions breakfast at the workforce Center at 1351 Hershberger Rd, Roanoke, Virginia for Jerry’s award as employee of the year.

When we signed-in and got name tags, I met someone who came to say “Hi” and “Congratulations” to Jerry. Then Jerry found something to eat and drink.

Beginning at 9:00am they had guest speakers such as Rochelle Betsch, Business Development Manager, Carroll Gentry, Chairman, Workforce Development Board, Jim Poythress, Dean, Virginia Western Community College, Doloris Vest, President, Workforce Development Board, and Jim Mueller, President, Incorporated Universal Design Specialist. At 10:30 am, after break-time there were 2009 Champions awards. Jim Rothrock, Commissioner, Department of Rehabilitative Services, presented an award for Excellence in Partnership to Stephanie Hoer, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, the other awards for Excellence in Making a difference to Kathy Tisinger, Roanoke Higher Education Center, and awards for Excellence in Professional Development to Jerry Wu and Kevin Roberts. The last award for Excellence in Leadership went to Fallon Park Elementary School.

When Jim Rothrock called Jerry’s name, everyone saw him jump-up from his chair and with smile on his face to get his plaque. Then I was asked for Jerry’s acceptance speech, which I gave. “Ladies and Gentlemen, It is an honor to be here to received with Jerry his award as employee of the year. Jerry’s award came as a surprise to us, but as his mother I am very proud. Every morning, Jerry waits happily for “RADAR” to take him to work, which he enjoys very much. He truly likes his job as a cafeteria aide. Our thanks go to DRS, Career Support System and Fallon Park Elementary School and all persons who have helped Jerry with hi job. It has been very meaningful to him and to his self-confidence”. After we spoke everyone stood up and applauded for Jerry.

When Cindy, who is principal of Fallon Park Elementary School, received her award she asked Jerry to came and stand beside her and in her speech she said “Jerry did a wonderful job in his position as cafeteria aide. During school Fall Festival he threw a ball at the dunking booth to knock me down into basket…not once was twice”. Everyone laughed and also stood up to applaud for Cindy and Jerry.

Jerry and I had a wonderful time at his award ceremony. Special thanks to Kathy, Nora, Rochelle, Sara, Melinda and all persons who have helped Jerry with his job.

The next day, someone told me “I saw Jerry and you on TV news”. I got the message in my answer machine “We saw Jerry and you on channel 7 news”. Unfortunately, I did not see the news myself.

The Glenvar High School DECA club collected, organized and sorted over 6,100 cans of food during their 2nd annual DECA Canned Food Drive. The food was collected prior to Thanksgiving to get food to those who need it prior to the holidays.

Submitted by Martha Hooker

At least Salem’s boys basketball team will have everyone at practice shortly. Even though the Spartans lost, many Salem faithful stuck out most of the game – one of the chilliest this season, with blankets, jackets, multiple layers of clothing, and a good dose of hot chocolate from the Salem Lions at the concession stand.

If you’d like to see some fan photos of the Christiansburg folks, click here. There were a few young men who decided it was a good idea to leave most of their clothes in the car to show support for the Demons. Guess it might’ve had to do with some of their team’s luck on Friday night.

OTHER RECENT COVERAGE OF SALEM HIGH SCHOOL:

*Nov. 29: Photos: Salem in Regional Championship
* Nov. 23 : More photos from the Salem vs. Magna Vista playoff game
* Nov. 23: Photos: Salem vs. Magna Vista football
* Nov. 13: Salem volleyball player Emily Richardson signs to Catawba College
* Nov. 13: Ellen Weaver officially commits to University of Kentucky
* Nov. 13: Salem Singers and IB Theatre win River Ridge District Theatre Festival
* Nov. 9: Photos from Salem vs. Pulaski football
* Nov. 6: More photos from the Salem – Hidden Valley football game
* Nov. 6: Photos from Junior Honor Association induction at Salem High School
* Nov. 6: Salem High Schoolers help others during Red Ribbon Week
* Nov. 3: Salem High School wrestling coach dresses up for Halloween
* Nov. 2: Photos from Salem – Hidden Valley football
* Oct. 31: Video highlights from Salem – Hidden Valley football
* Oct. 28: Photos from Salem JV volleyball vs. Hidden Valley
* Oct. 27: Photos of a good catch for Salem JV football
* Oct. 26: More photos from Salem’s three overtime football win over Christiansburg
* Oct. 26: Photos from Salem cheerleaders in district competition

The pups at Salem’s Animal Shelter could hardly contain their tail wagging and the cats excitedly purred when the 75 students in South Salem Elementary’s kindergarten classes came for the school’s annual visit on Monday, November 23. The one fun thing that made their morning field trip even better: the kids got to wear their Thanksgiving costumes!

Instead of giving one another Christmas presents, the students and teachers give gifts to the animals at the Salem Animal Shelter. Kids earn money from their parents by doing chores at home, and shelter director Rebecca Hall comes to collect the presents and hard-earned donations just before school lets out for winter break.

Items on the shelter’s wish list include:

Kitten Chow®
Grooming Supplies
Puppy Chow®
Dawn Detergent
Dog & Cat Toys
Blankets/Rugs
Large towels
Dog & Cat Treats
Q-Tips
Cat Litter (not scoopable)
Neosporin
Paper Towels
Small paper plates
Laundry Detergent
Canned Puppy/Kitten Food
Leashes/Collars

To learn more about the Salem Animal Shelter, visit www.salempets.org.

Faced with bankruptcy after going through his one-month-budget as a waiter, Dylan Leedy went back to school to become a chef, all within the span of about an hour in the Glenvar Middle School gym on Thursday, November 19.Glenvar’s eighth-graders were able to experience a life experiment called “Reality Store,” presented by Virginia Western Community College, the Salem-Roanoke Chamber of Commerce, Western Virginia Workforce Development.

The students each chose a career they were interested in, whether they’d be married or single at age 27, and how many children they might have. They set off to the experiment with a balance sheet, ready to figure out how they’d have to spend their money.

“I think that one of the most important aspects of that is the students are immersed in it … it truly is authentic learning because it’s all individualized for them and because of the choices they make,” said Principal Juliette Myers.

Categories they had to consider included income taxes, college loan, savings, good citizenship, rent/mortgage, car payments, home and car repair/upkeep, gas, insurance, utilities, food, clothing, health care, life’s surprises, child care, pets, personal care, and recreation. Professionals from around the community were set up at stations to help the students tally expenses that closely mimic those that take a toll on the paychecks of grown-ups every month.

“Things are a lot more expensive than you think,” said eighth-grader Desi Dooley, after completing her experiment.

“It’s very difficult and something we’ve got to be prepared for. Because if you’re not, you could be going a way you don’t want to go,” said Tyler DeHart. He chose to be a pharmacist, and even after he drew a winning lottery ticket at the “life’s surprises” table, he still understood the lesson behind the activity.

“They need to understand early that their career choices matter,” said Doloris West with Western Virginia Workforce Development.

“It’s not going to be as simple as you’re going to be a doctor and make a lot of money,” she said, citing the high liability insurance and taxes that often come along with a doctor’s paycheck

Courtesy of Ashley King

Salem High School held a walk for Africa called “One Life To Make A Difference,” with freshman world history teacher Mark Ingerson. Pictured are (from left): Morgan Smith, Shirley Kittinger, Mr. Ingerson, Ashley King.

Submitted by Ashley King

Jennifer Conley Sexton of Roanoke County Fire-EMS sent this release about the successful search for lost hikers:

Lost Hikers Located After Six Hour Search
Hikers planned to camp out until one sprained her ankle

November 29, 2009 (ROANOKE COUNTY) — Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department was dispatched to the Dragons Tooth Trail about 8 p.m. yesterday to locate a lost hiker with an injured ankle. A young man and woman set out yesterday morning to hike the Dragons Tooth trail, planning to meet up with three other male friends in the afternoon and then camp overnight. The female hiker injured her ankle sometime in the afternoon and around that time they met up with the three young men. The boyfriend of the female hiker found his way off of the trail and knocked on a near-by house to call 9-1-1. He then went back to the group and by then it was getting dark. The group attempted to hike out carrying their injured friend but soon became lost.

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue called in their technical rescue teams who searched for six hours before locating the lost hikers. The team then secured the injured hiker in a stokes basket and carried her down the trail to the parking lot where an ambulance was waiting. About 17 county personnel were on scene throughout the night assisting with the rescue effort. Craig County assisted with several personnel.

Roanoke County Fire & Rescue would like to remind citizens who hike the trails in the area to always take a cell phone, compass or gps, enough food and water supplies to last in case you do get lost, and to dress appropriately for the weather.