This was the view that greeted us as the kids hopped in the car for the daily ride to school this morning! (Feb 27, 2013) Apparently our house is “Over the Rainbow”!

Submitted by Michele Hancock

Camp Roanoke would like to invite you and your family to join us for a hike along the Spring Hollow Reservoir. This is a light to moderate hike with opportunities for bird watching (bring your binoculars), picture taking and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. The reservoir is closed to the general public, so you don’t want to miss this great opportunity to explore the beauty it has to offer. Please bring a bag lunch and water. Space is limited to 15 people. Advance registration required. Hike begins at 11:00am.

Click here to register.

Submitted by Roanoke County

With just a few weeks before the first ever Relay for Life of Roanoke Valley Schools, things are getting kicked into high gear at the American Cancer Society headquarters on Electric Road. Michelle Bisbee, the community Manager, says “These couple weeks leading up, is a big push for us. I have a lot of school assemblies coming up. These kids are working hard, and they’ll definitely be working harder in the next few weeks.”

On March 16, students from all over the area will be participating in the inaugural Relay for Life organized almost entirely by students from schools across the Valley. “This is the first ever student led Relay for Life in the Roanoke Valley and the second in Virginia. It’s more common to have one school do an event, not 10 schools come together and organize it. It’s pretty rare to have this kind of event,” said Michelle.

Michelle has been working closely with the group of 45 students from middle schools and high schools all over Roanoke and Salem. None of the kids knew each other prior to the event, but that hasn’t stopped them from becoming close throughout the whole process. “It’s fun to see them transformed from day one to now, when they just get together and immediately start working. They stepped up and are doing great,” Michelle said, “We were a little worried, but they are an incredible group of kids.” She went on to say, “That’s a tough age group, but starting a new event from scratch? That’s tough too, it’s a big thing for them to be doing at their age, but they are amazing.”

Michelle explained that this type of Relay for Life had been in the works for a couple of years but “we held off on it last year, while Kendall’s family was working for her cause…. We didn’t want to interfere with that,” Michelle said. She continued, “There have been high school teams at a lot of relays and they have brought in thousands of dollars, but it was time for the kids to have their own relay. It’s made for them. This is something they are meant to enjoy… on their level.” After all, this event is being planned and organized by the kids themselves. They have been doing everything from planning the entertainment, the food, to even writing the script for some of the speakers. At this point, Kendall Bayne is scheduled to be the opening speaker and her father, Jere Bayne will be the closing speaker at the event. Michelle said, “This community is so perfect for this type of event. Unlike most communities who think cancer is an old person’s disease, Kendall shows that, unfortunately, it can hit anyone.” Michelle went on to say that it’s so important for the kids to feel that they can do something. This event does that for them: “at that age, it gives them an opportunity to do something about it. To fight back,” said Michelle. “It’s really their event. It’s so special to them.”

I asked Michelle who she thinks has inspired these kids to work so hard towards making this event happen. She answered, “I think Kendall and Michael Sandridge really got this group motivated, it makes it more important to them. It really drives it home to them, the sooner we can get them to start the fight, the sooner we can beat it. A lot of Kendall’s and Michael’s friends are on the committee.  You can tell kids over and over again, until it’s something tangible and until it actually touches the entire community.”

Michelle ended by saying, “I’m really just honored to be doing this here. I hope these kids are feeling good about themselves. I hope they realize how special this is and what a great thing they are doing for their community. It’s so powerful to see such young kids take up this fight. Relay is something I am so passionate about and seeing them be involved really brings that fire back for me.” And with the overwhelming response from the middle and high school community towards this event, there’s no doubt that they will continue this fight towards finding a cure for cancer and helping those suffering from the disease. Michelle continued, “They’re really the future of relay. The most success is coming from our events with younger kids. We need them.”

On Feb. 27, we looked outside to find the weather acting strangely! We live on the top of lost mountain facing Bent mountain, which is in the background of the picture.

Submitted by Emily Chrisman

Jazz Café is almost here!

Cave Spring School Bands present their 7th annual Jazz Café on Tuesday, March 12th, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church on Brambleton Avenue. An evening of coffee, dessert, and music from the Cave Spring Middle and High Schools’ jazz ensembles will be showcased. Headlining artist for the evening is Jon Metzger from Elon University (www.jonmetzger.com). This year’s event will be emceed by John Carlin and will feature a Silent Auction of various treats and baskets filled with Virginia Tech items, Cave Spring spirit wear, chocolates, spa gifts, UVA gear, and more.

Ticket prices are $12 each or a table of 8 for $100 in advance or $15 at the door. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Advance ticket requests can be dropped off at the Cave Spring Middle School office, or tickets may be purchased through a middle or high school band member.

Information from Cave Spring Middle and High Schools 

WHAT: 

Roanoke County will host an economic summit for elected officials from around the Roanoke Valley to focus on the region’s economic future. 

The special meeting, in conjunction with the Roanoke Regional Partnership, was requested by Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Altizer who will facilitate a discussion of the area’s economic strengths, challenges, and opportunities with surrounding governments.

Chairman Altizer’s agenda will include a presentation by John Rhodes, a senior principal with Moran, Stahl & Boyer – site selection and economic development experts with more than 40 years of experience.

WHO: 

Elected officials and staff from:

Botetourt, Franklin, and Montgomery counties

The Cities of Roanoke and Salem and the Town of Vinton

WHEN: 

Thursday, February 28, 2013

6:00 p.m.

WHERE: 

Green Ridge Recreation Center

7415 Wood Haven Road

Roanoke, VA

Submitted by Teresa Hamilton Hall 

Dee Parkinson, Assistant Principal of Cave Spring Middle School sent us the A and A/B Honor Rolls for the second nine weeks:

A Honor Roll:

6TH GRADE 

ALEXANDRA AGEE, JULIA BOOKER, MICHAEL BREINER, DANIELLE BRINKLEY, MATTHEW COLOZZA, CECILY DOYLE, JAMES ELLER, IAN FIELDER, EMMA FIELDS, ADAM GLADFELTER, AUDREY HALE, KATHERINE HARRIS, ALLISON HENION, ELIZABETH HERTZBERG, SYDNEY HILOVSKY, GRACE HOLDERMAN, JEREMY LACHOWICZ, KYOKO LEAMAN, EZEKIEL LUEBECK, WILLIAM LUQIU, EMMA MAXWELL, EMONI MCILWRAITH, BENJAMIN MORTELLARO, HANNAH MUNCY, PATRICK OWEN, TUCKER PATOUT, TONI PERKINS, ALEXANDER REED, KILEY SHELDON, ERIN SMITH, MASON SPILLMAN, OLIVIA TULL, TYLER WHITE, VICTORIA WHITE

7TH GRADE 

AMRUTA ACHARYA, LAKEN AYERS, TAYLOR BECK, RACHEL BENTON, CATHRYN BOWLING, REBECCA BRADLEY, KATHLEEN BRETT, CAITLIN CARTER,WILLIAM CARVER, CAROL CHEN, MARY DICKENSON, CLAUDIA DRAPER, BRYCE FOTHERGILL, ERIN HARRISON, TIMOTHY HOWELL, JONATHAN HUGGINS, BROOKE LEFTWICH, LENIN LEWIS, SCHUYLER LYNCH, LAURA MARTIN, JAYSA MCKINLEY, EMMA MUZZY, KONSTANTINOS OIKONOMOU, CHASE POULSEN, CHRISTOPHER QUIROZ, WILLIAM ROBERTSON, DYLAN ROBINSON, MADELYN SARVER, SOHIL SHETH, MARIE STAHLING, AIMEE STRUZINSKY, MIRANDA TRUMP, NANCI VONOHLSEN

8TH GRADE 

SEAN ALTICE, CARLOS AMARAL, MICHAEL BERBERICH, CONNOR BRUMBAUGH, EMILY CALLAHAN, EMILY CHAPMAN, SARAH CHRISTENSEN, CHRISTINE COBB, MORGAN CUNDIFF, SARAH DURICA, LYNN FIMBEL, ALLISON GAYLORD, MACKENZIE HAMBY, MACKENZIE HARRIS, MADELINE HARRISON, BRANDON HATCHER, JOHNATHAN HAVILAND, CODY HAYDEN, MICHAEL HILL, ANN JACKSON, ELISABETH JONES, AUDREY KIDD, BYUNG KIM, ALEXANDRA LAWSON, COURTNEY LEE, MORGAN LEFTWICH, MORGAN LOVE, ELYSSA MCMASTER, LILLIAN MITCHELL, JOSHUA NEIGHBORS, BRITTON OLSEN, GRACE PAGE, BANNER PLUMB, JONATHAN PLUNKETT, SARAH RAMSEY, GENEVIEVE SANDERS, ROSHNI SEN, ERIK SHARRER, KACIE SHEPHERD, LAYNE SIGMON, CHRISTOPHER SNODGRASS, JARED STEELE, JOEL TARPLEY, SARAH THOMPSON, SARAH TROY, KAITLYNN WALTERS, ALEXANDER WEAVER, NATHAN WHEELER, MASON YOPP, LAUREN ZION

 A/B Honor Roll:

6TH GRADE

ABBY ALTIZER, KYLIE ANGEL, SARAH BALL, REBECCA BAUER, LILLY BAY, NATALIE BINGHAM, RACHEL BOCH, ASHLYNN BOONE, BAYLOR BOONE, MADISON BUSHMAN, ANTHONY CACCIATORE`IV, MATTHEW CHAPMON, JESSICA CHRISTENSEN, MATTHEW CHRISTOPHER, JASON CLINGENPEEL, OLIVIA COATES, PEYTON CONNER, CASSANDRA COUNTS, OLAOLUWA DINAKIN, ANDREW DITMORE, EMMA DMOCHOWSKI, PATRICK DUNNINGTON, CASEY FENTRESS, JULIA FLESHMAN, KENDALL FLIPPEN, SIMONE FORE, BROOKE FRETWELL, JOSHUA FRETWELL, OLIVIA FUEGLEIN, RYAN FUGATE, ANDREW FULTON, ANNA GENTILUOMO, ALYSSA GODFREY, NATHAN GOERNER, ELIZA GRAHAM, MADISON GRIFFIN, GENEVA GROCHOWSKI, DELANEY GROVES, THOMAS HAROULES, ETHAN HARRIS, LAUREN HARRIS, HUNTER HARTMAN, HEATHER HATCHER, BRIAN KING, AMANDA KNIZLEY, ALEXANDER KOK, SPENCER KROHMER, MICHAEL KYLE, CLAIRE LAWSON, BRYAN LEFTWICH, CONNOR LEWIS, TAYLOR LOVING, CHLOE MACLEAN, SAMSON MAHGEREFTEH, DAYLE MCGRAW, LINDSAY MERRITT, SAVANNAH MIHALO, NICHOLAS MILLS, KATRINA MORROW, KATLIN MULLENS, CHARLES NEAL, MARK NEIGHBORS, MORGAN NEWBOLD, MICHAEL NICHOLS, CAMERON POINDEXTER, AVERY POULSEN, JOHN PRICE, CALEB PRITCHARD, THOMAS RAINSBURY, NAVA RICKEY, JAQUAN RIVERS, HOLLY ROBERTS, TRAVIS SCHUCK, JOSEPH SESLER, MARC SHARRER, KASEY SKAFF, BLAKE SMITH, HAMPTON SMITH, HANNAH SMITH, JACKSON SMITH, SELMA SOSIC, SARA STEWART, MATTHEW TAYLOR, ALYSSA TOTIN, JESSICA TRIBLE, HANNAH UNDERWOOD, ANNA WALKER, BRANDON WEST, MASON WHITE, CLAY WILLIAMS, LAUREN WILSON, MARSHALL WILSON, ELEXIA WYNN

7TH GRADE

HANNAH BIBBS, AALIYAH BROWN, KARA BUCK, ANDREW CAGLE, CAMERON CALDWELL, DEREK CALDWELL, JAZLYNNE CARROLL, ALEXANDRA COLLIER, WHITNEY COOK, CHLOE CROUSE, AMBERLEE DAVIS, DARRON DAVIS, BLYTHE DELLINGER, REAGAN DELP, ZEHRA DEMIR, NATHAN DERRICO, AUSTIN EMERY, TYLER FANNING, MATTHEW FLORES, MISHELLE GANBAYAR, ANITA GEIGER, NICHOLAS GENTILUOMO, HANNAH GRAHAM, SOFIA GROCHOWSKI, ROBERT HAGE, SARA HAMILTON, KINSEY HARRIS, ISABELLA HAUCH, JAMES`ROBERT HICKS, DONALD HODSON, CALEB HOLLAND, BENJAMIN HOWARD, MATTHEW HUDSON, CLAUDIA JAREMA, ABIGAIL KENG, COLTON KENT, SAMUEL KIDWELL, SIERRA LANDSMAN, JOSLYNN LANKFORD, WILLIAM LAWRENCE, EVAN LEVY, LILI LIN, WILLIAM LIU, ABIGAIL LORD, BROOK LUDY, RONALDO MAIA, MARGARET MAXWELL, DEJON MAYO, NICHOLAS MCGUIRE, ANDREW MONSOUR, LOGAN NEAL, NICHOLAS ORANGE, THOMAS ORR, GABRIELLE PARULIS, BRIJ PATEL, LILY PERKINS, BRITTANY PHILLIPS, JOSHUA PHILLIPS, MCKINLEY POLLARD, AUSTIN RAGAN, NICOLE REEVES, ANDREW ROBERTSON, HANNAH ROLLEFSON, HANNAH SAWYER, EMILY SHOCKLEY, ISABELLE SIZEMORE, MEGAN SMITH, PETER SMITH, ANNA SORTORE, ADAM SOWDER, CAROLINE SPRUELL, HALEY STEINHAFEL, MARGUERITE STEPHENS, CHRISTIAN STROM, NATHAN SULKIN, TAYLOR SWARTZ, AJNAH TOLLIVER, AMINA VATRES, BRICE VIA, CAMERON WARNER, JACOB WILLARD, ERICKA WISELEY, ALEXANDRA YOST

8TH GRADE

MAHA ALI, JOHN ALOUF, PAIGE ASSAID, NICHOLAS AXT, TREVOR AYERSMAN, ISAAC BAILEY, MEGAN BENZIE, CHEY BOCANEGRA, CHRISTIAN BOONE, SYDNEY BRENNER, NATALIE BROOME, ALEX BROWN, JACOB BUNN, MOLLY CARDENAS, TYLER CARNEY`LUNNIE, DAVID CATTIGAN, SARABETH CHAPMON, BREANNA CHRISTLEY, EDANA COLEGROVE, DAVID COLLIER, ALEXANDER DEHART, JORDAN DOYLE, KATE DRINKWATER, CARLA EAST, ANNIE FENTRESS, ALEXANDER FILE, BRITTANIE FISHER, CLAIRE FLOWERS, ALEXANDRA FOUTZ, SALLY FRANCIS, HALEY FUGATE, JACOB FURROW, VINAY GARIMELLA, CARA GHAPHERY, LAUREN GILL, JULIANA GOODRICH, NATHAN GREGORY, JACKSON HARBESON, BRENNA HARMAN, LAUREN HATCHER, WILLIAM HICKAM, TYLER JONES, JILLIAN KEITH, TAYLOR KESLER, JUAE KIM, MICHAEL KLICK, WILLIAM KYLE, JESSICA LACHOWICZ, ALEXANDRA LEMIRE, WALKER MASTRANGELO, LEIGHA MATTHEWS, ALYSON MEADOR, JORDAN MEHTA, ERMITHA MERCIER, KYLE MOLLICA, NOAH MOUNTCASTLE, HALEY MUNCY, GRAYSON ODHAM,ZACHARY PAGE, DEJA PAIGE, JASMINE PRICE, SARAH RILEY, BIANCA ROMAN, ANGELO RUSSO, JAYALI SAMARASINGHE, TAMERAH SEBREE, TAYLOR SHARP, ZACHARY SINER, ERIC SMITH, DANIEL SORTORE, EWAN SOUZA, JACOB SPIERS, NELSON STANLEY, LAUREN STCLAIR, MADELYN STONE, EMILY TAYLOR, EVAN WALKER, VERONICA WERNICKE, MADISON WORKMAN, AIDAN WRIGHT, MICHELLE ZILLIOUX

Muscaro Gym was filled on one side with the entire student body of North Cross School, silent, as they watched the gracefully fluid dance of fellow student Lulu Liu, a seventh-grade exchange student from China. Dressed in blue silk traditional garments, Liu performed a solo Mongolian dance for her peers as part of an afternoon celebration of the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Snake.

“I don’t think I’ll ever look at Lulu the same way,” remarked a classmate. “That was really beautiful and I can’t believe she did that in front of the whole school!” With the help of Pearl Fu, Executive Director of Roanoke’s Local Colors, Robert Robillard arranged an all-school event featuring over 20 students from Southwest Virginia’s Blacksburg Chinese School. Their students dressed colorfully, cheerfully acted out traditional stories, and performed several dances with dragons, tigers, Chinese stringed instruments, and Chinese yo yos for the North Cross students in an effort to build understanding and appreciation of the diversity that exists in Southwest Virginia, and within the halls of North Cross.

“What a great afternoon,” said Robillard. “I’m so thankful that our Global Studies program gives us the opportunity to expose our students to other cultures through events like this, and gives others a chance to get to know us.” He continued, “Pearl Fu pulled me into her world last summer when we were hosting 17 Chinese students. She possesses a unique ability to unite people, despite her open battle with Parkinson’s disease. For Pearl, this means jumping into a big bowl of tossed salad with each ingredient being distinct and special, yet part of a bigger and better whole. This is why she has been named Roanoke’s cultural ambassador. Now she has shared her spirit with our school, which is shown in all the performers from the Chinese School.

Like me, I’m sure many in our community were transformed by the New Year celebration and by Pearl Fu.”

What was presented was authentic, energetic, and accomplished by other students. North Cross students not only learned the facts about the Chinese New Year – like the fact that it is a 15-day celebration – but also learned that General Tso’s chicken and fortune cookies are American, not Chinese. With a mix of teaching, performance, and quizzes, students left the gym with a taste of another world and with a deeper appreciation and respect for one of their own students.

About Local Colors
Local Colors is Roanoke’s premiere year-long multi-cultural program which recognizes and embraces people of diverse origins, races and ethnic backgrounds. Throughout the year Local Colors works with schools, colleges, neighborhoods, retirement communities, government, businesses, and civic organizations to promote diversity and multi-cultural understanding. Annually it culminates in the third weekend of May with the renowned Local Colors Festival.
Local Colors is always looking for more Countries to participate in the Local Colors Festival. Please contact Pearl Fu at (540) 904-2234 or 580-0341 or send mail to pearlfu3@gmail.com

About Blacksburg Chinese School
Blacksburg Chinese School (BCS) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, composed of community volunteers and dedicated language and culture instructors. Our mission is to promote cultural awareness and harmony, and to be an active and contributing member of our diverse society. We offer Chinese language classes for children and adults. We strive to foster connections with the greater NRV community through regular cultural activities and events.

About North Cross School
North Cross School is a college-preparatory day school grounded in a strong liberal arts and science curriculum combined with exceptional co-curricular programs. The academic program, from junior kindergarten through twelfth grade, prepares students to become responsible, successful citizens by encouraging them to explore their interests and develop their talents. The School is located at 4254 Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA, 24018. For more information, visit www.northcross.org.

Submitted by North Cross School

Let the Governor’s Cup guide you to the best from AmRhein’s Wine Cellars!  In this year’s competition, AmRhein’s continued its tradition in creating award-winning wines, bringing home three Silver Medals. The Silvers went to Chambourcin and for the newly released Pinot Gris Reserve and Vidal Blanc wines.

“Making wine is a fine art. It takes patience and love. My love shines through each bottle of AmRhein’s Wine, and our consistent recognition by the VA Governor’s Cup is proof,” said Russ Amrhein, AmRhein’s owner, third generation jeweler and viticulturist of AmRhein’s Wine Cellars.

AmRhein’s Wine Cellars is located on Bent Mountain, VA. Winter tasting room hours are Friday-Sunday 11am-5pm. Beginning April 4, 2013 the tasting room will be open Thursday-Monday 11am-5pm through year end.

About AmRhein’s
AmRhein is a German name meaning “on the Rhein” (Rhine River). AmRhein’s was founded in 1921 as FC Amrhein’s, providing jewelry design and repair for the Roanoke Valley. The coming years saw the business move to different locations under different versions of the Amrhein’s name, until resting with Amrhein’s Jewelers in 1975. Today, AmRhein’s Fine Jewelry continues to provide the quality products and services it has for four generations, offering an array of fine jewelry in traditional and contemporary fashions. AmRhein’s is home to the exclusive Roanoke & Salem Charms, and has a master jeweler on staff for full service repairs and custom designs.

In 1992, the offerings expanded with AmRhein’s Brides & Formals to include a full range of attire for brides and the wedding party, as well as cocktail dresses, evening gowns, tuxes, shoes, and accessories. The company name then changed to Amrhein’s Brides, Formals & Fine Jewelry.

AmRhein’s Wine Cellars was added to the company’s offerings in 1999 on Bent Mountain, VA. It is an estate-grown winery, specializing in wines with a German influence. The winery consists of three vineyards in Franklin, Roanoke and Botetourt counties, totaling over 40 acres and yielding 20 varieties of grapes. The winery’s current portfolio consists of 20 wines, and boasts numerous national and international awards.

Today, AmRhein’s Fine Jewelry, Brides & Formals, and Wine Cellars remains a family owned and operated business. AmRhein’s can take couples from the engagement ring to the wedding ceremony, and offer everyone that perfect gift or perfect excuse to shop. With AmRhein’s, Memories Begin Here!

Learn more at www.AmRheins.com, and be sure to connect with us on Facebook!

Submitted by Rebecca L. Spaid, Director of Marketing, AmRhein’s