– Submitted by Mike Stevens

The Salem Museum will be hosting an innovative camp for young writers July 15-19. WordSparks Creative Writing Camp offers young people (ages 9-16) a fun and high-energy approach to writing that uses hands-on art and historical applications as a springboard for creativity.

The camp is led by Mary Crockett Hill, who is the author of several award-winning books of poetry, co-author of the history A Town by the Name of Salem, and co-author of a series of early reader e-books for children. Her collaborative young adult novel will be published in 2014. Hill has taught creative writing at the University of Virginia and Roanoke College. She has also led young writer’s workshops through the YMCA’s Writer’s Voice program and other community groups.

Hill is also the former director of the Salem Museum. Current director John Long is thrilled to have her back working with local kids. “All museums need to engage the next generation,” said Long. “One of our goals is to offer programs like this one for a younger demographic and stir up their creative impulses. We’re a history museum, and we believe some of these kids just might make history down the road.”

“I’m very excited about the upcoming camp,” said Hill, a Salem native and Roanoke College graduate. “Usually a camp like this just focuses on writing and nothing else, but WordSparks isn’t your usual camp. We’ll be doing some really fun hands-on art projects that will help young people generate ideas and tap into their creativity.”

The camp will be split into two groups. A tween camp for ages 9-12 will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon daily, and a teen camp for ages 13-16 will be offered from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $100 per person, with discounts for members of the Salem Museum. There is also a special 10 percent discount for siblings or friends who register with a single payment.

WordSparks Creative Writing Camp will be held in the historic Salem Museum, 801 E. Main St., Salem. You can register online at www.wordsparkswriting.wordpress.com or by contacting The Salem Museum, 540-389-6760 or Mary Crockett Hill at marycrocketthill@yahoo.com.

Annie Lin shares these photos and writes:

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 was my second time for VAMC 2K Walk and Roll. I am a volunteer at VAMC. I got permission to do my Tai-Chi demonstration from Shannon Cohen.

A friend of mine, Cindy Abbott bought a “VA2K” T-shirt for me. She is RN at VAMC. We were together at Virginia Western Community College to study the nurse program. Thank you Cindy. I like a special T-shirt.

I stood in front of a tent with other volunteers, they gave a bottle water away to everyone. When they were walking through, I did my Tai-Chi, I heard someone say “I need a fan”. Really, everyone needs a fan, the weather was hot. I met volunteers Angela Little and Barrett Bass. We got a group picture.

After walking, I passed a green house at VAMC. You can buy plants there. when I was listing and watching a band, I had group pictures with veterans, they came from Virginia Veterans Care Center, then a veteran with a scooter came to me, and said “I feel hurt”. I said “Why?” He said “No one takes my picture”. I said “May I?”. He was happy. I saw he wore WWII hat, he asked me “Where do you come from?” I said “Taiwan”. He said “I went to Japan”.

I had a good time with them at VAMC 2K. Thank you for all volunteers, walkers, and rollers. Especially Veterans. I an patriotic and try to help veterans as my way to show it.

The SHS Band is hosting a fundraiser every Tuesday at Zaxby’s in Salem from 5-8 p.m. Please come out and support your Band! The band will receive 10 percent of all sales. You can dine in or use the drive through!

– Submitted by Salem Band Boosters

Here is the Roanoke County Public Library’s June 2013 event calendar for the Glenvar branch library.

The star of the show this season is the much-anticipated Summer Reading Program for children, teens, and adults, which kicks off next Monday, June 3. This year participants can register and log their hours at home using a special online account. A link to register and the event calendars will be available through the library’s home page, www.yourlibrary.us, with sign-ups starting on Monday. As always, Summer Reading provides a fun way for people of all ages to enjoy reading during the summer months, participate in special programs, and earn incentive prizes based on hours read. The program ends Aug. 10.

Book Club

• Glenvar Book Club: No meeting in June

Teens

• Water Balloon Dodgeball: Glenvar (Green Hill Park), Mon, June 24 @ 2:00 PM
• CD Planters: Glenvar (Fort Lewis Fire Station), Fri, June 21 @ 2:00 PM

Kids

• Lego Club, Ages 7 – 12: Glenvar (Fort Lewis Fire Station), Mon, June 17 @ 4:00 PM

– Submitted by Penny Lloyd, Roanoke County Public Library

Be sure to sign up for the Roanoke County Public Library’s Summer Reading program beginning on June 3rd. We are completely digital this year, so sign up and track your reading online! Go to www.yourlibrary.us to register on June 3rd.

– Submitted by Roanoke County

What is the venue’s address? Salem Stadium is located at 1008 Texas Street.

Are tickets still available and where can I purchase them? Yes, tickets can be purchased in person at the Salem Civic Center box office, by phone at (800)745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

What is included with the VIP ticket? The VIP ticket includes: -Reserved seating or general admission tickets-Preferred parking -VIP express entry -Exclusive invitation to festival after party -Private bathrooms-Private cash bar (beer and wine only) -Complimentary boxed lunch available from 4:00pm-7:00pm -Commemorative Blue Ridge Music Festival poster VIP patrons must pick up their packet at will call. Packet will contain wristband, meal ticket and poster voucher.

Is there an age restriction for the VIP after party in the Salem Civic Center arena? Yes, patrons who are 21 and older can attend with a VIP after party ticket. What time do gates open at Salem Stadium? Doors open at 10 a.m. The music begins at 11 a.m.

What is the Concert Lineup Schedule? 11 a.m. – Skip Castro Band, Noon – Charles Esten, 1 p.m. – Will Hoge, 2:30 p.m. – Greg Bates, 3:40 p.m. – Sara Haze, 4:30 p.m. – Gloriana, 6 p.m. – Colt Ford, 7:30 p.m. – Hunter Hayes, 9:10 p.m. Little Big Town

Will there be an ADA seating area? Yes, please contact the Salem Civic Center box office for further details at (540)375-3004.

What’s the re-entry policy? You may exit and re-enter until 4:30 p.m. After that time, no re-entry will be permitted.

Where can I park? Free parking is available on site at the Taliaferro Complex at 1001 Roanoke Boulevard.

Are there shuttles to the festival? Yes. Shuttles will run to and from the General Electric parking lot on Roanoke Blvd. beginning at 11am.

Are chairs or blankets allowed in the General Admission area? Chairs are not permitted, however, blankets are allowed.

Can I bring outside food & beverages into the stadium? No, however, food and beverages can be purchased on site.

What kind of food & beverages will be available at the event? Everything from nachos to gyros will be available including wraps, barbecue, pizza, hot dogs, soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade, water and adult beverages. Vendors include Chick-fil-A, Salem Pizza, Bastian’s Barbecue, Fun Times & Bruno’s Gastro Truck

May I bring my camera? Point & shoot cameras are permitted, however, SLR cameras with detachable lenses and video cameras are not allowed.

May I bring a backpack? No backpacks will be permitted.

Will there be a first aid area? Salem Rescue Squad will provide first aid and will have three EMS stations on site.

Will there be a lost & found? Yes, all remaining items will be taken to the Salem Civic Center after the festival.

How can I get a press pass? Please contact Kirt Webster at kirt@websterpr.com.

Can I bring my pet? No pets will be permitted except for service animals.

Will artist merchandise be available for purchase? Yes, please visit the merchandise stand.

– Submitted by Mike Stevens

Glenvar High School Theater Director Steve Franco took the crowd back in time on Friday, May 24th with his presentation of “Mark Twain Live.” The performance, which included different topics of sketches, essays, and excerpts from speeches, had the GHS auditorium laughing out loud.  Franco typically focuses on preparing his students for the spotlight, but this one-man show was a bit different, as he dedicated the performance to former Glenvar English and Journalism teacher Martha Johnson, who passed away in 2009.  Johnson was passionate about teaching the works of Mark Twain to her students.  In his 24 years in theater, Franco has written 12 plays and directed over 100 productions.

The Salem High School Singers members became stars of their own Disney show on Friday, April 5 when they entertained visitors at Walt Disney World Resort. They traveled from Salem to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to take part in a Disney Performing Arts Program.

Dance groups, choirs, ensembles and marching bands from around the world apply to perform each year as part of Disney Performing Arts at both the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World Resorts. Once selected, they are given the opportunity to perform at the resort for an international audience of theme park guests. Millions of performers have graced the stages of the Disney Resorts in the more than 25-year history of the program.

Disney Performing Arts offers band, choral, dance and auxiliary performers the opportunity to learn, perform and compete at the Walt Disney World Resort. For more information, visit www.DisneyPerformingArts.com or call 1-800-603-0552.

– Submitted by Disney Performing Arts Program

Photo courtesy of Mike Stevens

The 2013 Salem Fair is all set for its mid-summer return to the Salem Civic Center/Taliaferro Complex this July with new rides and attractions.

America’s largest free gate fair has attracted nearly 300,000 patrons each of the past few years and, despite the recession, has proven itself to be an affordable outlet for family fun.

Deggeller Attractions returns to the 14-acre midway this year with more than 40 rides guaranteed to satisfy thrill seekers of all ages. Nightly ride promotions that allow fair-goers to purchases discount wristbands are once again offered, and unlimited ride passes also will be available at all local Kroger locations.

There are more than 30 different food vendors scheduled for this year’s fair, who will be dishing out everything from crab cakes to fried gummy bears! The free shows on the midway this summer include the Elephant Encounter, Kachunga and the Alligator, Grandpa Crachet, Richard Barker – the Incredible Hypnotist, the always popular Hedrick Racing Pigs, the Kandu Magic Show and much more.

The musical stage also will once again feature some of the top bands and solo acts from the region – absolutely free! In addition, fireworks will be part of the festivities on the evening of July 4.

As always, gate admission and parking, and the popular Blue Ribbon Exhibit areas are also free at the Salem Fair.

You can get more information at www.salemfair.com and keep up with the latest fair happenings on Facebook and Twitter.

– Submitted by Mike Stevens