Tim Thornhill supplies this photo gallery and tells us:

“The Colonial Ave Baptist spring fishing trip to the Outer Banks featured our most unusual catches yet. Comical looking puffer fish by the dozens were caught and we discovered they are a tasty little creature.They are nicknamed “chicken of the sea” for a reason. These aren’t poisonous like their Pacific Ocean counterparts so eat up! Kite surfers,bluefish, sharks and nice sunsets also highlighted the trip.”

Do you have news or photos from your church in Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

Faith Christian School students, faculty, parents, and other volunteers joined forces today to do several much needed community service projects in the Roanoke Valley. Nearly 2,0300 hours of service was donated. 2010 marked the ninth year that the school has conducted Project Faith.

The students worked with the YWCA, the oldest women’s shelter in Roanoke, the Blue Ridge Women’s Center, the Mill Mountain Garden Club and Discovery Center and the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Roanoke Mountain Campground. The Lower School students worked in conjunction with Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Mill Mountain Garden club mulching and clearing trails, weeding the Wildflower Garden and preparing Roanoke Mountain Campground for its spring opening. Middle and Upper School students will be cleaning, painting, landscaping and making repairs at the YWCA, and at The Blue Ridge Women’s Center.

The purpose of Project Faith is to raise money for the school, while providing a service to the Roanoke Valley. The Project began in 1998 under the name Faith Walk and has continued ever since. Faith Christian School’s motto is Faith, Truth, and Service. Their vision statement is “A Mind for Truth, A Heart for Christ, A Will to Serve”.

Christiansburg parent David Bradshaw shares two photo galleries of a four-week meet with Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Pulaski and Hidden Valley.

You can view the photos in the slideshow above or in this gallery format.

You can see the one below here.

Do you have photos involving people or events around Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.

The Lions of Virginia District 24-E Region II, Zone I held their third and final meeting for this fiscal year on April 29 at the Roanoker Restaurant in Roanoke.  The Lions Clubs making up this Zone are: Cave Spring District, Mount Pleasant, Roanoke Host, Roanoke Valley Breakfast, Vinton Breakfast, Vinton Host and Vinton Luncheon.  Zone Chair Lion J.J. Johnson is shown addressing the group.  Several Club Reports were given.  Dates of upcoming events were given out: Zone Chair Workshop on May 8, 9-11am, at the Eyeglass Recycling Center; State Convention May 20-23 at the Hotel Roanoke; Camp Too Sweet for Diabetic children June 21-25.

Jackie Moffitt shares this photo gallery of the South County girls’ lacrosse team.

Do you have photos involving people or events around Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.

Jackie Moffitt shares this photo gallery of the Hidden Valley girls tennis team vs. Pulaski.

Do you have photos involving people or events around Southwest Roanoke County? If so, you can share at news@swo-co.com.

Miss Daisy Flick, Hidden Valley Middle School 8th grader is now Miss Teen Virginia International 2010.  She will be competing for Miss Teen International 2010 in Chicago this July.  You can go online at http://missteeninternational.us/ and vote for Daisy Flick for on line voting.  Daisy’s platform is “No Child Should Go To Bed Hungry” and she is working with the SW Virginia 2nd Harvest Food Bank to try to help fight hunger.

Submitted by Laura Flick.

This weekend is the beginning of Prom Season for Roanoke County Schools.  The Council wishes all students and families to have a safe and smart prom.  Please pass these tips on to anyone that will be sending their teens out this weekend.  Thank you for having the courage to care!

*Everyone in a car must buckle up for safety.

*Resist using a cell phone while driving.

*Discuss your plans and itinerary with your parents and friends.  Update them if the plans change.

*Stay at your school’s After Prom – you might just WIN A CAR!!

*Parents, support your schools  After Prom – Volunteer

*Parents, text your daughter or son an encouraging message that evening.  Students, text back!

*Parents, set the boundaries of no substances before, during or after Prom and have a plan that assists your son or daughter to call you no matter what!

Remember:  Think twice before you act. Make smart choices.

Submitted by Nancy Hans

For the second year in a row, we asked readers of SWoCo to pick The Best of Southwest Roanoke County. The votes poured in; four times as many as last year. In some cases, we had repeat winners, and we’ve noted those with an asterisk (*). But we also had some new winners — and some new categories, too.
So without further ado, here’s who you picked as this year’s Best Of . . .

Best reason for living in Southwest Roanoke County:
1. The schools*
2. The people
3. The scenery

Best place for breakfast:
1. Famous Anthony’s*
2. IHOP
3. Brambleton Blend

Best coffee:
1. Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea*
2. Starbucks
3. Mojo Café

Best iced tea:
1. McDonald’s
2. Hardee’s
3. Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea

Read more »

The South County Boys Lacrosse team, fresh from their 9 to 8 victory over regional powerhouse Hargrave on Saturday April 24th, traveled to Bedford county on Tuesday April 27th to take on a strong Forest lacrosse club. The South County boys controlled both ends of the field and came away with a 9 to 4 victory.

Submitted by John Kemp.