Here’s a panoramic photo of Virginia Western’s graduation ceremonies, taken by Jason Garst and submitted by Valerie Garst. We cut it into seven normal-sized photos so you So Salem online readers can see it a little better if you’d like. The Garsts were there to support Ryan Garst who graduated that day.
Do you have graduation photos involving people from Salem or western Roanoke County? You can share at news@sosalem or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time.
Printed copies of our Summer 2011 program guide will be arriving in mailboxes this week! Copies are also available at Roanoke County recreation centers and libraries. Registration is Sat June 4 online for residents, phone/walk-in for residents on Mon June 6 and for everyone on Wed June 8.
May is Bike Month, and on Saturday the Roanoke library hosted a Kids on Bike event. Our paparazzi photo crew was there — and so were these folks from Salem, who stepped onto the red carpet:
So what did you do over the holiday weekend? You can share your photos at news@sosalem.com or use the “share” tool at right to upload 10 at a time if you had a really big weekend.
Bluefield College has released its President’s and Dean’s Lists for both traditional and inSPIRE degree completion students for the spring 2011 semester.
Eighty-six BC students were named to the President’s List for earning a grade point average (GPA) between 3.9 and 4.0 during the spring semester, while 99 students were named to the Dean’s List for earning a GPA between 3.5 and 3.8.
Among the students earning placement on the spring 2011 Dean’s List with a 3.5 to 3.8 GPA:
Rose Angell, Salem, VA
Submitted by Chris Shoemaker, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Bluefield College
In observance of Memorial Day, Teresa Howell shares this photo of her uncle, Eldridge James Beckner, who served in World War II and passed away in 2009.
Curves is holding a Yard Sale on Saturday, June 4, from 8:00 a.m. – noon, in Spartan Square parking lot in Salem. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Please contact Diane Hollins at 540-384-7251 if you have questions or would like to make a donation.
Submitted by Diane Hollins
Kirk Richardson at the Washington Nationals. Submitted photo.
*This post was revised 10 a.m. Tues. May 31. And again on Thurs. June 16
Kirk Richardson, Salem High Class of 2005 began work as the Athletic Trainer for the Washington Nationals Rookie League Team of the Gulf Coast League in Melbourne Fla. on May 9th 2011.
Kirk played baseball for the 2005 SHS baseball team, Coached by Jim Stepp and Wes McMillan that won the River Ridge District Tournament by knocking off Cave Spring which previously had an undefeated district record. He also played several years for Rip City Baseball, coached by Dave Christianson.
He developed an interest in Athletic Training from Coach Tucker’s
Anatomy class while at SHS and went on to get his undergrad degree as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) from JMU in 2009.
He graduated from the
University of South Carolina with his Masters on May 7th. 2011. *Correction: Richardson is currently working on a research project for the final stages of earning his Masters degree from the University of South Carolina
Kirk would like to thank all the coaches, teachers and others who have helped him along the way take his love of baseball and turn it into a great job.
*Post corrected 10 a.m. Tues May 31 (Thanks to reader Andy for catching the missing 2,499,997.5 gallons of water I left out!)*
Reader Nancy Williamson sent this email to our news@sosalem.com inbox:
I was wondering if you can find out and publish why the Salem water tower has exterior doors way up high? I heard it was because the YMCA was originally going to have offices in there?!
So Salem did some checking around, and the answer is yes. Well, kind of.
When the tower was built in 2000-2001, three floors with windows and doors and one lower level were intended for possible offices and storage. Salem’s planning office said ideas were even tossed around for a restaurant at one time.
The heavy reality of two and a half *million* gallons of potable water sitting atop the empty space deterred any further exploration of it becoming an office space or otherwise. And they remain empty. All that’s reportedly inside the tower now are storage spaces, the water’s operational parts, antennae and cable for the cell phone and other towers atop the tower, and a two-story-long vertical ladder.
Here’s a short Q&A with Water Department director Caleb Taylor:
Q: How tall is the water tower?
A: It is approximately 130 ft. tall.
Q: where was Salem’s water tower before the current one?
A: The tank at the YMCA replaced two water tanks in Salem. One of the previous tanks was an elevated tank located at the end of Morwanda St. The second tank was located at the top of the hill behind the Salem Church of Christ.
Q: How does water get into the tower, and is the water contained there purified, ready for home use or is it rain water, untreated water?
A: Potable water (treated, filtered and disinfected – ready for consumption) is pumped from the water treatment plant to fill the tank.
Q: Do you know approximately how long the water tower is supposed to last?
A: For a long time. Its life is directly linked to how it is maintained. If the tank is regularly maintained and inspected, it could last a long time. There are too many variables that come into play when attempting to determine an exact life expectancy for this structure.
Photos courtesy of the city of Salem
The tank at the YMCA replaced two water tanks in Salem. One of the previous tanks was an elevated tank located at the end of Morwanda St. The second tank was located at the top of the hill behind the Salem Church of Christ.
8 – how does water get into the tower, and is the water contained tehre purified, ready for home use or is it rain water, untreated water?
Potable water (treated, filtered and disinfected – ready for consumption) is pumped from the water treatment plant to fill the tank.
9 – do you know approximately how long the water tower is supposed to last?
For a long time. Its life is directly linked to how it is maintained. If the tank is regularly maintained and inspected, it could last a long time. There are too many variables that come into play when attempting to determine an exact life expectancy for this structure.
Chad Parries is the community journalist for So Salem and can be reached at 981-3342. You can share your news and photos through the “Share” button below or at news@sosalem.com.
