At the back of the pack, brother-in-law Billy Chase, aunt Candi Moldenhauer of South County, and sister Ingrid Chase walked to remember Conrad Moldenhauer. Photo courtesy of Michele Moldenhauer

On behalf of Sherry Cameron Cox, chapter leader of The Compassionate Friends’ (TCF) Roanoke Valley Chapter, who organized and lead the Walk to Remember on May 11 at Green Hill Park in Salem, thanks to all of you who walked with us (and your loved ones — with us in spirit), sponsored walkers, and helped at the event. And those of you who weren’t able to join us, you were part of the love that inspired our Walk to Remember.

Before the Walk, families and friends gathered to share memories of much-loved children missed but not forgotten. Despite threats of thunderstorms throughout the day, Nature was good to us — delaying the downpour just long enough for us to get back to our park shelter after we had walked.

As our motto attests: We Need Not Walk Alone
We especially want to thank Cathie Meadow Thomas, Jon Wilson, and Randy Gleason all with John M. Oakey & Son in Salem for sponsoring our walk for the second straight year. JMO’s Randy joined us for the Walk.

– Submitted by Michele Moldenhauer

Debra Ann Miller, who charmed audiences as 19^th-century author Jane Austen during Dead Authors Month last October, returns to South County Library for a repeat performance, this time as Mary Todd Lincoln at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22.

Mrs. Lincoln’s Salon takes place in her Blue Room on April 4, 1865. Mr. Lincoln and their youngest son, Tad, are at City Point. Robert, their eldest, is with General Grant in pursuit of Robert E. Lee. Mary is alone in the Executive Mansion. The audience is invited to reminisce with Mrs. Lincoln about her childhood, her days in Springfield, and her children as she celebrates Tad’s 12th birthday and the end of the Civil War with you. Drawing from her own letters to friends, family, and political figures of the era, Mrs. Lincoln’s Salon paints a picture of Mary Lincoln that is both sympathetic and truthful.

Debra Ann Miller has been an actress and voice over talent for over 25 years. She has toured the country with Child’s Play Touring Theatre, Artreach, and the Reading is Fundamental program, as well as working in Chicago theatres. Debra is also currently touring the country with Abraham Lincoln impersonator, Michael Krebs, in Visiting the Lincolns. Debra has been working as an historical impersonator for the last 15 years. In 2004, Debra won the Best Actress award at the Chicago Indie Fest for her first film Zen Noir.

There is no charge to enjoy this performance and seating is on a first-come basis. South County Library is located at 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, and the program begins at 7:00 p.m.

– Submitted by Penny K. Lloyd, Marketing & Information Manager, Roanoke County Public Library

The following area students were among 1,273 students graduating from the University of Mary Washington. Dr. William “Bill” Cleveland Bosher Jr., public policy expert and former Virginia superintendent of education, delivered the commencement address for master’s candidates on Friday, May 10 and Steve Pemberton, business executive, motivational speaker and noted author, gave the undergraduate commencement address on Saturday, May 11.

• Kathryn E. Dillon graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree in psychology.
• Keith C. Gatzke graduated with a B.S. degree in economics and English.
• Benjamin A. Harmon graduated with a B.A. degree in international affairs and French.
• Kylie E.C. Kerr graduated with a B.S. degree in mathematics.
• Jessica W. Oliver graduated with a B.S. degree in psychology.
• Taylor A. Poindexter graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree in religion and sociology.
• Katherine Preseren graduated with a B.A. degree in music from the University of Mary Washington. She received the Mu Phi Epsilon Sterling Achievement Award in Music.

The university awarded 85 Master of Business Administration degrees, 111 Master of Education degrees, 15 Master of Science in Management Information Systems, 34 Master of Science in Elementary Education Degrees, 418 Bachelor of Arts degrees, 61 Bachelor of Liberal Studies degrees, 63 Bachelor of Professional Studies degrees and 484 Bachelor of Science degrees. Two graduates received both the MBA and the MSMIS in a dual-degree program.

The University of Mary Washington is a premier, selective public liberal arts and sciences university in Virginia, highly respected for its commitment to academic excellence, strong undergraduate liberal arts and sciences program, and dedication to life-long learning. The university, with a total enrollment of more than 5,000, features colleges of business, education and arts and sciences, and three campuses, including a residential campus in Fredericksburg, Va., a second one in nearby Stafford and a third in Dahlgren, Va., which serves as a center of development of educational and research partnerships between the Navy, higher education institutions and the region’s employers. In recent years, the university has seen its academic reputation garner national recognition in numerous selective guidebooks, including Forbes, the Fiske Guide to Colleges and the Princeton Review’s 2012 edition of 150 “Best Value Colleges” and the 2013 edition of “The Best 377 Colleges.”

– Submitted by University of Mary Washington

She always knew what she wanted to do…. And she got it. Becky Brittain, originally of Southwest County, always dreamed of working in the news, but not just at any news station. Her ultimate goal was to cover news for the White House and that’s exactly what she’s doing. She is a CNN White House Producer, where she covers the daily movements and events of the White House and the entire administration as well as traveling alongside the President in motorcades and Air Force One. She was named to the position in August 2005 but has worked at CNN since 1998. “I knew what I wanted to do early in life. I know that’s not the norm, but it happened in my life,” said Becky.

Becky graduated from Cave Spring High School in 1994, attended Virginia Tech and graduated in 1997 with a double major in Communications and Political Science. Since graduating, Becky has accomplished a lot, but back in February, Becky was asked to do something she’d never done before. She was asked to be the commencement speaker for the Communications Department at Virginia Tech for their graduation on Friday, May 17.  “I’m really honored to go back there and give the speech. I’m looking forward to it… it’s definitely an honor,” said Becky.

I was able to speak to Becky over the phone on Thursday, May 16 before the commencement. I asked her several questions pertaining to her career. You can read the questions and answers below:

Q: Tell me a little bit about how you got started in your career:

A: I interned at CNN while I was in college, my junior year. After college, I moved up here without a job, but then the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke. I was at Fox for six weeks or so and worked as a freelancer. Then, I was given the opportunity to work at CNN. I worked with Larry King as a production assistant and then moved on from there. I worked as an associate producer for Inside Politics. Then started working at the White House in 2005.

Q: What are your various responsibilities in your position as a producer?

A: I follow the President wherever he goes. We are responsible for coordinating the network’s coverage of President Obama by reporting behind the scenes, giving CNN editorial guidance, and coordinating live video shots for CNN’s White House correspondents.

Q: What is it like working alongside the President?

A: It’s a high pressure situation. I’ve done it long enough now that the intensity isn’t as overwhelming. It’s definitely high pressure but I’m used to it now. It’s just kind of normal. It’s certainly a lot of hours and a lot of travel… my life just goes along with what’s going on in the news.

Becky Brittain lives in Alexandria and in her spare time, she is active in her church at First Baptist Church of Alexandria where she serves in various capacities in leadership. She also served as a mentor and tutor through the program Community Club to a DC public school student throughout his high school career from 2001-2007. She was named “Outstanding Recent Alumni” for 2007-2008 from the College of Liberal Arts and Science at Virginia Tech.

The Salem Red Sox are home this weekend. During a recent homestand, our paparazzi photo crew paid a visit and here are the Southwest Roanoke County people who stepped onto the red carpet — and also got entered into the Ultimate Fan Contest.

* Alvie Cullop and Brian Cullop
* Erin, Maia, Tom, and Julia Langheim
* Whitney and Charley Lynch
* Ryan McCoy

Click through to see them one at a time or click here to see all the photos at once as thumbnails.

You can find more details about the contest here.

Forty-three students at Patrick Henry Community College, including Nicole Deacon of Roanoke, were recently inducted into Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the national honor society for two-year college students.

The purpose of PTK is to recognize and encourage scholarship, to provide opportunities for leadership and service, and to foster an intellectual climate for the exchange of ideas. Members must be enrolled in a degree program at the college, have accumulated at least 12 credits in a curricula program, and have achieved a grade-point average of at least 3.5 with 12 credits or 3.2 with 24 credits. Members must have also established academic excellence as judged by the faculty and be of good moral character with recognized qualities of citizenship. Active membership is by invitation.

Deacon was invited to join the Psi Phi Chapter, which was charted at PHCC in 1972. Those who join hold a lifetime membership.

During the April 26, 2013 induction ceremony, PHCC President Dr. Angeline Godwin was the guest speaker. A reception was catered by the PHCC dual enrollment culinary students.

– Submitted by Patrick Henry Community College

Seventy-nine first-year students were inducted into Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society at Washington and Lee University at a ceremony the first night of W&L’s 2013 Reunion Weekend. To be eligible, a student must be in the top 20 percent of the class at the end of the first term of his or her first year.

• Anna P. Carson of Roanoke
• Laura B. Lemon of Roanoke

“The quality and caliber of our student profile continues to improve and the academic accomplishments of the first year class are very impressive. Many of these students will obtain further academic accolades and even prestigious graduate fellowships as they progress through their undergraduate years at Washington and Lee,” said Jason Rodocker, assistant dean for first-year experience, and adviser to the W&L chapter of Phi Eta Sigma.

– Submitted by Washington & Lee University

On May 9, 2013, the CAI Southwest Virginia Chapter held their first annual golf tournament at Hidden Valley Country Club. Monies raised from this outing help support our programs of providing and educating community association board members, community leaders, volunteers, managers, and business partners with the community associations.

It takes a team to host such a successful event. We would like to express our deep appreciation to Kellie Dickerson, Bob Hage, Doug Rosier (our golf committee) Treena Gibson our (Chapter’s Executive), Ivy Dill, Chrissy Greene, Ann Grove, Meredith Malloy, Steve Moriarty, Nancy Richards, Robert Small, and Al Smith. It is through their diligent efforts and support that this event was a tremendous success. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful volunteers within our chapter!!

We offered various sponsorship level opportunities: Thank you to the following sponsors:

Birdie Sponsor: Consolidated Construction

Eagle Sponsor: Miller Dodson Reserve Specialist

Hole Sponsors: Alliance Association Services, BB&T Association Services, Chadwick Washington Moriarty Elmore & Bunn P.C., Cole & Associates, CPA’s, DMA Services, First Citizens, Lawn Ranger, LeClair Ryan, Randstad Staffing, Whiteford Taylor Preston, LLP

Beverage Cart Sponsor: Certa Pro Painters

Lunch Sponsor: Beveridge & Associates

Door Prize Donations: Consolidated Construction, Empire Siding & Windows and Gibson & Associates

Also, a special thank you to the Adult Care Center. They provided all of our lunch refreshments.

Congratulations to the following winners: Men’s Longest Drive – Steve Harris; Closest to the Pin – Kirk Martin. Also, congratulations to our winning team: File Solve, Kirk Martin, Spencer Christley, Rock Radford & Scott Weaver. Lastly, congratulations to Graeme Anderson who won the 50/50 drawing.

We also express our deep appreciation to Michael Abraham of Hidden Valley Country Club, for hosting such a wonderful facility for our golf outing. We received so many favorable comments about the course layout and the friendliness of the staff. Thank you!!

Lastly, thank you to the golfers who made this a special day. We know you had a blast and hope to see you again next year!

Treena Gibson

– Submitted by Doug Rosier

On May 21, the Town and Country Garden Club will conduct a Blue Star Memorial dedication ceremony at The Garden Center, 3640 Colonial Ave., Roanoke. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.

Veterans from the Salem Virginia Medical Center and The Virginia Veteran Care Center, as well as local chapters of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and representatives from the Veteran’s Administration are invited. Various elected officials from local, state and federal government, local business leaders and members of national, state, district and local garden clubs have also been invited.

The Blue Star Memorial Program honors all men and women who have served, were serving, or would serve in the armed services of the United States. Since World War I, a Blue Star Banner displayed in the front window of a home told others that a family member was serving in the Armed Forces. Captain Robert B. Quiesser, an Ohio National Guard Veteran of the Mexican Border (1916) is credited with designing the original flag. Also known as the Service Flag, the blue stands for hope and pride. The flag made its appearance again in World War II. On October 17, 1943, Congress authorized the flag as an official design.

National Garden Clubs (called National Council of Garden Club at the time) wanted a suitable means of honoring our service men and women. The group visualized a living memorial to Veterans of World War 11.

This program began with the planting of 1000 Dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Club in 1944. National Council of Garden Clubs adopted the Blue Star Memorial Highway Program in 1946 at the annual meeting in New Orleans. The project was named for the blue star in the service flag. The Blue Star Highway system covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. In Roanoke, the Blue Star Memorial Marker has been in place at the Margaret Healey Garden adjacent to the O. Winston Link Museum since Veterans’ Day of 2012.

Margeret and Ed Healey, now deceased, were long-standing members of Town and Country Garden Club in Roanoke, and Mrs. Healey was a past-president of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, and served in many other capacities in the local, district and state levels. Mr. Healey served in World War II and was also a member of Town and Country Garden Club in Roanoke.

– Submitted by Jan Taylor

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

This summer four FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) students from the Roanoke Valley will be traveling to the National FBLA conference in Anaheim, California. In addition to the competitions, students will also visit some popular sites including Disneyland. The students, three of whom are Cave Spring High School and Burton Center students, will be competing for top spots amongst tough competition as the top two from each state is represented. There will be around 7000 students from across the Nation in attendance. Each event is sponsored and monetary prizes in the amount of $1000.00 are given to 1st place winners. We wish all the students the best of luck.

1st Place-Networking Concepts-Ben Culkin (Northside and Burton Center for Arts and Technology)

2nd Place-Management Decision Making Team-Dylan Brucki, Adam Foutz, Evan Gill (Cave Spring High School and Burton Center for Arts and Technology)

From the FBLA website, here is a more information about the organization:

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with a quarter million students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. The association has four divisions:

1.Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) for high school students;

2.FBLA-Middle Level for junior high, middle, and intermediate school students;

3.Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) for postsecondary students; and

4.Professional Division for businesspeople, FBLA-PBL alumni, educators, and parents who support the goals of the association.

You can read more here.

Information from Ginger Cromer