Golfers: What are your favorite holes in the area? See if our Timesland Dream 18 is up to par and nominate your favorite.
It’s that time again! Time to tell us where the best displays of holiday lights are around Southwest Roanoke County — and all of Western Virginia.
We have the submission form on the Datasphere, our site for searchable data.
Once we get it populated, you can see a map of the biggest and brightest displays.
We also have tips for taking great photos of Christmas lights, from photographer Eric Brady of The Roanoke Times.
The Church of the Holy Spirit Photo Ministry shares this photo gallery from Annie Lawrence’s recent video shoot for one of her original songs.
She’s a Hidden Valley grad who’s now a junior at James Madison University.
Want to hear Annie? Here’s an earlier video of her performing her song “Find Rest,” inspired by Psalm 62.
Do you have news or photos involving people or events around Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com.
Catey Moretz of Oak Grove Elementary
Catey Moretz of Oak Grove Elementary is one of the teachers in the running for the annual McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence.
Here’s the release from Blue Ridge PBS:
Kevin Myatt
A flash flood watch is in effect over much of Western Virginia from noon until 6:30 p.m. The National Weather Service is forecasting 2-3 inches of rain, with higher amounts possible in some areas.
Weather journalist Kevin Myatt has more details on his Weather Journal blog.
If you see weather news happening, post a comment below or share photos at news@swo-co.com.
Adam Devlin, Paul Baron, Max Crutchfield, Morgan Vance, Will Marston, Josh Wood, Andy Roller and kneeling in front, Josh Small
The “Binary Beasts” in the fifth grade class at Oak Grove Elementary School competed in the Regional Tournament in Christiansburg on Nov. 6 and won 1st place in the Research Division. Members include from the left: Adam Devlin, Paul Baron, Max Crutchfield, Morgan Vance, Will Marston, Josh Wood, Andy Roller and kneeling in front, Josh Small. Way to go team!
Submitted by Sally Roller
Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway Mile Post 176.1, is still beautiful this time of year. The restaurant is closed but it’s still fun to walk around the buildings.
Submitted by Loren Wright
Windsor Hills United Methodist Church “A Night in Bethlehem”, a Hands-On Holy Land Experience. Tommy and Tom Simpson. Courtesy of Kris Stutsman
Windsor Hills United Methodist Church wants to invite you to their first rendition of “A Night in Bethlehem on Sunday, Dec. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the church on the corner of Mudlick and Windsor Road.
A Night in Bethlehem will take you and your family back in time to ancient Bethlehem where you will see, hear, smell, and taste what life was like when Jesus was born.
“It’s for the entire family and for them to be together. To hear the music, sounds, and smell the food- it’s geared to let people know that God loves you,” Kris Stutsman said.
About 30 volunteers from Windsor Hill UMC, including the youth, will be putting on “A Night in Bethlehem” and have been preparing for the event for about two months.
Actors include, Matthew Bennett and R.J. Eaton as Roman Soldiers, Daniel Bennett and Tommy Simpson as Census Takers, Brenda Simpson as a Beggar, Tom Simpson as a Tax Collector, and Cody Wheeler, Matthew Simpson, Scott Bledsoe, and Thomas Kidd as Shepherds.
“I hope people come and realize that this is what Christmas is all about and we wish everyone well,” Karen Saunders said.
“We’ve opened this up to everyone. It’s nice to know we are all Shepherds and that people can come somewhere and enjoy Christmas with their family in an interactive and creative way,” Stutsman said.
Families will get to visit a marketplace and stable and activities like writing on scrolls during the census and hear from Mary and Joseph about the birth of Jesus and his love. Families will learn firsthand about the world Jesus lived in and share God’s love.
Upon arrival, participants will hear music and the sounds of a bustling village in the ancient city of Bethlehem. Each person will sign in for the census and meet the tax collector. Then they will travel to the marketplace families will be able to visit eight different stables including, the scribe, carpenter, shepherd’s shop, bakery, candy shop, leather working, metalworking, and then the stable where Jesus was born. Five of the shops will be making small pieces of a nativity which will be handed to the guests. At the end they will have a complete nativity. At the stable shepherds will lead families to the stable where they can interact and talk with Mary and Joseph.
Windsor Hills UMC wants to reach out to the community with this event and let the community know that God loves them and wants a relationship with them.
For more information, call the church at 774-4730.
Our paparazzi photo crew was at the Drumstick Dash in downtown Roanoke on Thanksgiving morning, and here are the folks from Southwest Roanoke County who stepped onto the red carpet:
* Lisa Crawford and Michelle Jirout
* Lisa Crawford, Michelle Jirout, and Brooke Hall
* Tami and Harmony Hall
* Bennett, Cora Carmouche and Sydney Carmouche
* Barrett LeHardy of Southwest Roanoke County, 1st Place Finisher — not once, but twice!
* Jonathan Seidell
* Bo Waldo, Lindsay Skolrood, Drew Dillon, and Mark Strelow
* Trey and Ron Willard
* Matt Clark
* Klint and Alison Breene
* Ann Mallin
* Ben Owens
* Isaac Yeaman and Cameron Warner
* Art and Tracy Carter
* Paula Mangus
* Seth Crouch, Christy Crouch, Kyle Wright, and Jackson Wright
* Hardy Bryant, Bays Bryant, Spencer Pratt, Joey Bryant, Suzanne Bryant, and Carrie Pratt
* Leah Bowling
* Darryl and Lexie Agee
* Dorothy, Will, Lane, and Sam Pryse
* Lauren and Matthew Hirsch
* Emily, Ginny, Matthew, and Greg Taylor
* Spencer Crittenden, Macs Crittenden, Quigg Lawrence, Annie Lawrence, Mary Wynne Lawrence, Annette Lawrence, Martha Crittenden, Fleet Lawrence, and Alexander Crittenden
* Keller, Thomas and Carly Walton, Peter Walton, Brett Davis
You can view the entire gallery here.
Do you have photos of what you did over Thanksgiving? You can share at news@swo-co.com.
