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The Roanoke Star-Sentinel November 18 - 24, 2011

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Community | News | Per spective

[Drumstick Dash]

Roanoke’s Amazing Feet!

VA Tech Campaign Raises Over $1 Billion

Joe Kennedy

A Sound Man

P4– Joe Kennedy recalls an interview with Prairie Home Companion sounds effect wizard Tom Keith and how his demeanor contrasted to that of Garrison Keillor.

The university raised $1.11 billion during The Campaign for Virginia Tech: Invent the Future.

Photo by Kyle Edgell

Supporters line the street as runners in the Drumstick Dash break out at the beginning of last year’s race.

Super Santas P9– There’s a whole lot more to being one of Santa’s certified professional helpers than you might think. Will you take the oath?

Volleyball Madness! P14–15 Cave Spring, Hidden Valley, Patrick Henry, Catholic and North Cross all roll on to State Division Playoffs with mostly positive results.

15,000 Roanokers will "move their feet so others can eat" as part of the sixth annual StellerOne Drumstick Dash to benefit the Rescue Mission. Runners, walkers, babies in strollers, well behaved dogs on leashes and volunteers will join together to provide food, shelter and medical care for as many as 400 people in the Rescue Mission’s Shelters each night. The StellerOne Drumstick Dash starts at 9am Thanksgiving Morning at the intersection of Williamson Road and Franklin Road in downtown Roanoke. When the Dash began six years ago the hope was to attract a thousand participants. That first year there were over 1,600 runners and walkers. Last year the Mission expected 10,000 and had more than 11,000 participants. “It has become the place to be on Thanksgiving morning,” said Barbara Robertson who has been involved in the race all six years. Last year families from 39 states along with Norway, Guatemala, Kenya and Canada made this the largest road > CONTINUED P2: Feet race in the region and Roanoke’s biggest family reunion.

Postal Workers Go To Bat For Processing Center

do. Myers said the reduction of Postal workers and their mail processing centers – from supporters showed up by the more than 600 to less than 200 hundreds Monday night, pack– is “going on nationwide.” ing the William Fleming High If the Roanoke center were School auditorium for a pubclosed, mail generated locally lic hearing. Their message was would be sent to a larger facililoud and clear: do not close the ty in Greensboro, NC, where it Roanoke area mail processing would be processed – and sent center (AMP), which is one proback to Roanoke if intended posal on the table as the United for a local end user. Some of States Postal Service struggles to the speakers questioned the reinvent itself and downsize at logic of sending Roanoke area the same time, facing competimail out of town, only to bring tion from e-mail, other Internet Photo by Gene Marrano services, UPS and Fed-Ex that State Senator John Edwards Criticizes A Proposal To Close The it back for delivery. A “50 percent decline in [the] have eaten away at first class mail Roanoke Center. bread and butter product,” said volume. nated. Appalachian District Manager DarA decision on closing the Roanoke rell Myers put on a power point presenta- Myers of the loss of first class mail, means “AMP”, which employs more than 500 peo- tion before several dozen speakers lined up that changes must happen. “Six years of excess capacity [demands] more centralized ple, could be made as early as next month. for their two minutes at the microphone. Many of those employees will be moved Myers got to the point: the United States use of facilities, equipment and people,” to other postal jobs, as negotiated by the Postal Service must change in order to re- he added. The loss > CONTINUED union, but up to 75 or so could be termi- main competitive – the status quo will not of Roanoke’s area P2: Postal

Saint Francis Graduates Nine More Service Dogs

Going Medical P18– Dr. David Trinkle says that upcoming VT-Carilion seminars will show potential students the steps to a real career in medicine.

Carol Willoughby founded the St. Francis of Assisi Service Dogs foundation 15 years ago, but even though wheelchairbound herself, she had never received assistance from one of these extraordinary canines. That changed recently, and last Sunday Midas was introduced to friends and supporters of Saint Francis Service Dogs at the 13th annual graduation ceremony. Nine dogs that took two years to train and an average of $25,000 to do just that, sat on the stage at Cave Spring High

School with their new pet owners and the trainers who patiently worked with these dogs, showing them how to perform up to 50 tasks like turning lights off and on, picking up keys off the ground, how to go for help if it looks like their owner is having a seizure or other medical difficulties, etc. Donations assure that the dogs are properly trained. “They change people’s lives completely,” said program emcee John Carlin, the former > CONTINUED P2: St. Francis

Photo by Niki Voudren

The nine St. Francis of Assisi graduates and their masters at last week’s 13th annual graduation ceremony.

Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger has announced that the university has exceeded the $1 billion goal of The Campaign for Virginia Tech: Invent the Future, an eight-year fundraising initiative that was supported by nearly 170,000 contributors. The most ambitious campaign in university history -- which began July 1, 2003, and ran through June 30, 2011 -- raised $1,112,703,977 in outright gifts, pledge payments, or commitments of future support. To put this historic achievement for Virginia Tech in context, the university’s last comparable campaign, “Making a Difference,” which concluded > CONTINUED P2: Campaign

Habeeb Speculates on Divided Senate Lt. Governor Bill Bolling was quick to issue a statement as soon as the mid-term elections confirmed the senate would divide evenly between Republicans and Democrats. “With the chamber equally divided at 20-20, it will fall on me to cast the deciding vote on many important issues in the months Politics to come. I assure you that I will do so with the utmost respect for the responsibility given me by the Constitution of Virginia.” Salem Delegate Greg Habeeb (R-8) shed some light on what all this means so far. Habeeb thought Bolling would not have to break as many ties as people think. “There are usually a group of Democrats who vote with the Republicans … at least [ties] won’t be an everyday thing,” he said in a phone interview. Democratic control had let to committee assignments that kept Republican sponsored bills from floor votes. On education Habeeb sees a

[

> CONTINUED P2: Habeeb

]

> Feet

Page 2 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/18/11 -11/24/11

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From page 1

“You never know what is going to happen. One year a couple got engaged in the middle of the race,” said Leslie Littlefield who helps coordinate the street marshals and other volunteers for the race. The winners of the race receive hand made pewter medallions and a homemade pumpkin pies. Fleet Feet and the YMCA both have been offering pre-race training for those who are new to running a 5K. Saint John’s Episcopal Church members are running as a memorial for John Sylvester-Johnson, the Misson's

Program Director who passed away in May of this year. Hidden Valley Middle School is making the Dash a school wide event. The StellerOne Drumstick Dash makes a significant difference at the Rescue Mission. Each day, emergency shelter, food and medical care are provided for families in crisis. An anticipated $300,000 will be raised from the Dash this year. Drumstick Dash Volunteers are still needed. Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Leslie Littlefield at 540-777-7651 or leslie@

> Campaign in 1998, raised $337.42 million, approximately $470 million in today’s dollars. The amount raised in the more recent campaign was announced at a closing ceremony attended by approximately 1,000 of the university’s most generous supporters. It was the last of dozens of events held on campus, coming hours after Virginia Tech for the first time in memory held a university-wide open house, during which members of the public toured numerous facilities and attended special presentations by faculty, staff, and students. Prior to the event, Steger said the extent of generosity displayed by participants in the campaign demonstrated “a degree of love and loyalty that is exceedingly uncommon in our modern age, and a philanthropic instinct that has the capacity to make a profound impact not only on our present, but on our future.” Twenty-seven percent of campaign commitments were designated for endowed purposes and will provide predictable income to support various

To register or for more information, visit www.drumstickdash.net, or call 540-3437227.

From page 1

causes at the university for years to come. The university’s endowment, managed by the Virginia Tech Foundation, grew by 81 percent during the campaign, thanks to gifts and investments. The endowment stood at $600.65 million as of the end of the campaign. After spending four years in a quiet phase, during which more than $550 million was committed, the campaign was announced publicly on Oct. 20, 2007. Nearly 900 volunteers served on campaign committees, including regional committees based in nine different states and the District of Columbia. Gene Fife, a former chairman of Goldman Sachs International who earned his bachelor’s of business administration in 1962 from what is now the Pamplin College of Business, chaired the Quiet Phase Campaign Steering Committee. The public phase’s National Campaign Steering Committee co-chairs were David Calhoun, another graduate of the business college, who earned his bachelor’s of accounting in 1979, and John Lawson,

> Postal

who earned his bachelor’s of geophysics in 1975 from what is now the College of Science. “Helping to lead this campaign was a wonderful opportunity to give back to the school I love and to make a difference in the world at large by helping an institution that prepares tomorrow’s leaders,” said Lawson, president and CEO of W.M. Jordan Company. Calhoun, chairman and CEO of the Nielsen Company, said, “As an alumnus, I appreciate how Virginia Tech prepared me to succeed in my career. As a businessman, I see tremendous value in supporting a school known for graduating exceptional people with both the technical knowledge and character traits that it takes to compete and win in our global markets.” Elizabeth “Betsy” Flanagan, Virginia Tech’s vice president for development and university relations, said the campaign’s fundraising figures were outstanding. But numbers alone cannot truly express the scope of this accomplishment, she said. “The real story of this cam-

paign will be in the lives of all the students who will benefit from the hundreds of new scholarships that were created,” Flanagan said before the event. “It’s also a story about our ability to create world-class teaching and research facilities, due to the generous support of our alumni and friends. Thanks to them, we also can continue to attract and retain inspiring faculty through the dozens of faculty-support funds that were created during this campaign.” Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As a comprehensive university and leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 215 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 30,000 students and manages a research portfolio of nearly $400 million. The university fulfills its landgrant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

From page 1

mail processing center would mean that one-day in town delivery now could expect to become 2-3 days as transportation to and from Greensboro is factored in. Myers, who later said he welcomed help from lawmakers to stem the tide of red ink that is forcing changes, had a sobering declaration: “we’re not going to need the facilities, we’re not going to need the people that we now have.” Closing the Roanoke AMP could save about 15 million dollars annually, a figure disputed by some of the speakers at Monday’s meeting. “The U.S. Postal Service will not be the same – we cannot survive,” Myers concluded. When it came time for the public input session of the program, State Senator John Edwards led off and soon had the audience cheering. “Pennywise and pound-foolish,” said Edwards about any plan that would close the Roanoke facility. “This would be a death spiral [for the postal service]. I hope you would reconsider.”

Edwards, who said that early in his career he worked with an attorney who was a former postmaster general in the Kennedy administration, added that, “technology is not going to solve the problem [entirely].” Brenda Hale had an idea that many liked: “send the Greensboro mail here,” said the former Roanoke NAACP chapter leader. Carlton Cooper, president of the American Postal Workers Union local in Roanoke, said that 9th District Congressman Morgan Griffith supports a bill that would help the Postal Service fund its retirement system – one of the major reasons the USPS is struggling these days. Cooper also sounded off: “I’m extremely upset with the current leadership that we have – you are selling me short and 550 workers [in the Roanoke center] short.” Angie Hall read a statement from Griffith, in which the freshman federal lawmaker declared he was “ready, willing and able to assist the United States Postal Service …

> St. Francis Channel 10 news anchor and a member of the St. Francis board of directors since its inception. The service dogs – which often receive early training from prisoners in the Virginia state correctional system - are “bridges to the community,” said Carlin, who now works at Ferrum College in public relations. Carlin added that, “everything that happened here today is because of Carol and her vision – and Doug [her husband].” As for Midas, “[he has] proved to be the perfect match for Carol,” said Carlin of the golden retriever, who was trained by Connie Kniseley, raised as a puppy by Bill Clarkson and fostered by Judy Bates. “Raising a service dog is a lot of work,” testified Clarkson from

rescuemission.net for more information. Not going to be in town on Thanksgiving but still want to help? Simply "Dash Away!" Costing a flat registration rate of $15 which guarantees a Drumstick Dash t-shirt, "Dash Away!" participants are committed to “moving their feet” wherever they might be.

compete in the modern age.” Chris Sowers, executive vice president of the local union, warned Myers that the numbers used in a study about the Roanoke AMP were “skewed” and outdated. He questioned the benefits from closing the distribution center as well, since under the current collective bargaining agreement it is difficult to lay someone off. “Where are the savings?”” he asked. Myers said the Roanoke center is profitable - until transportation costs are factored in - a statement that drew some hoots from the crowd. As local postal workers pondered a decision about their futures that could come in less than a month, union official Tim Rasnick told Myers that Greensboro would be overwhelmed if it had to take on Roanoke’s mail as well: “cutting service is not a way to save the post office – it’s a way to destroy the post office.” By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

From page 1

the stage. He wasn’t sure early on if Midas had “the right stuff ” and could handle the training (some dogs don’t make it.) One big problem? “He never outgrew liking blondes [like Willoughby].” Midas would get excited and start wagging his tail, breaking his concentration. Service dogs cannot even be petted unless they are given a command to allow that, since it can interfere with their mission. “He was just looking for the right blonde,” added Clarkson – Midas eventually came around. Sunday’s graduation was “right up there with the most exciting days of my life,” said Willoughby, who has seen the Saint Francis Service Dogs program spread beyond the Roanoke Valley. One of the service dogs that graduated on Sunday,

Ekko, is now the program’s first ever “facility dog,” trained to help a variety of people at a rehabilitation center in Hampton Roads. Ekko lives with Wendy Bunting when not working at the Riverside Rehabilitation Institute, helping to make patients days a bit brighter as they go through long-term therapy for a variety of ailments, such as a stroke. “She truly has been one of the best employees,” said Bunting. “It’s hard work, what we ask our patients to do. [Elko] is able to participate in the therapy with them.” Just reelected Roanoke County supervisor Butch Church was on hand last Sunday, some had criticized him for having Midas out on the campaign trail with him. Willoughby singled him out as a

“very special friend.” She offered to campaign for Church and that meant Midas came along. “We enjoy volunteering together,” said Willoughby recently on Church’s personal website. “Church has never asked to take Midas anywhere on his own, nor would he want to do that,” she added. As for the latest graduating class of nine and the canines that have been through the program before, “I see all my service dogs [now] through Midas,” said Willoughby of having one of her own. “He has invigorated me.” See saintfrancisdogs.org for more information. By Gene Marrano gmarrano@cox.net

City Of Roanoke Seeking Applications

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Susan Johnson's journey has taken her throughout southwestern Virginia, from near the southern border to Bonsack. Her most recent turn has taken her from the City Attorney's Office in Roanoke City to the town clerk's office in Vinton. Since assuming the position in August, she has quickly settled into the small town's rhythm. Born in Bassett, Johnson worked for an attorney for over 17 years right after getting out of college. When the attorney retired in 1995, she found herself looking for a job and applied for the Martinsville town clerk position. She held the position until 2007 when her family relocated to the Roanoke area. The move was a pragmatic one. Her husband Donnie had worked for the city of Salem since 2001 as a risk manager and they both finally decided on a shorter commute. With her extensive years in the legal field, Johnson found work as a legal secretary at the Office of the City Attorney in Roanoke City. When she saw the opening for the town clerk position in Vinton, she found herself wanting to tackle that again. "I like the interaction with people and meeting the citizens," Johnson says. "It allows me to be both a team player and work independently." She also says that it gives her the opportunity to coordinate events, a role she didn't perform as much in the City Attorney's office. Johnson has taken quickly to the essential duties of setting town council agendas and recording council meeting min-

Susan Johnson is the new Town Clerk in Vinton. utes. She serves as the town manager's executive assistant, scheduling his meetings and essentially serving as his office manager. "It's a critical position, there has to be someone to do it. [They're] kind of responsible for making sure town council members have what they need," says Darlene Bailey, retired town clerk and Johnson's predecessor. She worked with Johnson shortly before she left and thinks the office is in good hands. "She's got just the right personality of being smart and energetic. [Town Manager] Chris Lawrence and the council made a great choice when they chose to hire her." One of the efforts Johnson is most excited about going paperless in Vinton, an effort that started before she came to the office. She had experience in a similar capacity using Laserfiche software and uses it as now head officer in charge of scanning and disposing of town records. The search function, she says, will make access to old town council notes quite easier. "If you want to know what happened in 1962, you don't have to go through all

the books." Among the ideas she is bringing to the table is a quarterly employee newsletter that will feature employee profiles, celebration and service awards. She's also part of the The Council in the Neighborhood meetings, where Town Council members go to different Vinton communities to have open meetings with the residents. Clear communication with the town citizens is a focus of hers. "I have three bosses: the council, the staff and the citizens," Johnson notes. To this end, she has also put together a book with contact information for the town's boards / commissions and committees, along with data on regional organizations. Within the town, she heads up the town's United Way program. The town's goal is to raise $4,375 among its employees. The town has contacted fifteen local businesses, asking them to be a part of a gift card raffle drive to raise money. Among all these duties, she still finds time to knit, teach Sunday School at Bonsack Baptist Church and play with her new grandson Clayton (her daughter and son-in-law recently moved from Maryland to Roanoke). As town clerk, Johnson hopes to serve not only as an administrator but as a guide to the corridors of government. "I try to be a listener and connect people to the right sources—even if people are calling for a federal court." By Aaron Layman info@newsroanoke.com

Cuccinelli Advises Virginians to “Stop The Texts and Stop the Wrecks” driving.” “Research has shown that using a cell phone delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of 0.08,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “Distracted driving is dangerous, and tragically, teen drivers are the most at risk of being involved in a fatal distracted driving crash,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We hope our new ad campaign will send a strong message to teens that putting away cell phones and other distractions while you are driving is not just commonsense safe behavior, it can save your life.” “The PSAs communicate to teens and adults that texting

while driving is not multitasking, but essentially driving blind. By taking your eyes off the road, even for a few seconds, you are making the road less safe for you, your passengers, and other drivers,” said Cuccinelli. The online survey, commissioned by the Ad Council, was conducted in partnership with C + R Research. Research was conducted nationwide from September 15, 2011, to September 23, 2011. The sample consisted of 1,004 teens and young adults between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four. All respondents were required to hold a U.S. driver’s license, drive at least once per week, and have a mobile phone.

bipartisan momentum to reform public education. School choice and charter school programs are taking hold in states like New Jersey. “The tide is already moving in that direction,” he said In the 2011 session a bill giving tax credits to businesses providing private school scholarships to low-income students was blocked in the senate. The Virginia Education Association opposed it for fear of losing funding for public schools. Habeeb thinks everyone will come around to it “once they see who this bill targets and who this bill helps.” Habeeb predicts that a slightly more aggressive school choice bill will pass in the 2012 session. Support for monetary incentives for top teachers is gaining ground as is “moving away from the one size fits all model,” said Habeeb. This would sow the seeds for creative teaching and the use of best teaching methods. He expects the Governor to focus on higher education again this year. “I think we’ll see the same kind of focus this year at the K-12 level,” he said. He admits that the Standards of Learning has tied teachers hands to some extent – “The tail wagging the dog” as he put it. “The SOLs have provided a way to target resources … but have disincentivized teachers to move away from just teaching to the test.” He would take into consideration the SOLs in the overall reevaluation of K-12 education. He posed the question – “what obstacles are getting in the way of [us having] the best public education system in the world.” As the father of three young children he said, “it’s a kid issue not a partisan issue.” Habeeb would like to see outdated and complicated business tax credit code cleaned up. Though it creates economic incentives “… it’s like we’re picking winners and losers to certain industries to the detriment

From page 1 those that have turned a blind eye,” he said. While addressing immigrant there needs to be a discussion on “what in our economic system is incentivizing this conduct.” Both workers and companies need to live by the law. The bill that failed in 2011 would have required children of illegal immigrants to pay out-ofstate college tuition in Virginia. Habeeb thought it was not fair that resources to legal residents were being diverted to someone that was in the country illegally. “The conversation at the federal level has been so disruptive … we’ve not advanced the ball any,” he said. He lamented on how foreign students educated in America are not allowed to use that education here. “It’s a very complicated issue to not look at it globally,” he said. He thought the hand wringing over what will happen with the Republicans in charge was unwarranted. The legislators in Virginia’s Western Region are not talking about the “hot-button issues … jobs and education is all they’re talking about.” After the legislative meetings legislators will begin to draft bills. Habeeb has a couple bills he wants to introduce that he wasn’t ready to reveal publicly. Habeeb will be holding office hours to hear from constituents on Thursday November 17 at his office.

Greg Habeeb of others.” He expects that the bill to opt-in to a defined benefit plan in lieu of the Virginia Retirement System to come up again for new state employees this session. The only group to oppose it said Habeeb was the VEA. He emphasized that it was an option and not a mandate. “We can’t do anything to risk the viability of [VRS] going forward for those in the system already.” The budget this year will be the real challenge. Medicaid, pensions, health and human services, transportation and education – “that’s almost all of our budget,” said Habeeb. “You can pick around the edges … and discretionary spending is just a small percentage of the budget” Habeeb said any immigration bills introduced would probably be targeted toward the e-verify system that employers use to verify an employee’s legal work status. “Largely we have scapegoated the immigrants and have not spent a whole lot of time talking about businesses that have facilitated the immigration issue …

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In response to a study which shows drivers who write text messages while driving are 23 times more likely to crash than non-texting drivers, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has joined other state attorneys general, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Ad Council today to unveil a new public service announcement campaign, urging young adults to “Stop the texts and stop the wrecks.” The campaign includes TV, radio, outdoor, and digital PSAs. In an effort to extend the campaign messages virally on the Internet, new Facebook, Twitter, andYouTube social media channels went live this week. All of the PSAs direct audiences to stoptextsstopwrecks.org, a new Web site where teens and young adults can find facts about the impact of texting while driving, as well as tips for how to curb the behavior. The Web site also has an area where individuals can share on Facebook what they are doing to stop texting while driving. According to a national survey conducted by the Ad Council, 82 percent of young adult drivers aged 16-24 have read a text message while driving. Additionally, NHTSA reports that 16 percent of all drivers younger than age 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) reports that a texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash than a non-texting driver. Distracted driving is the number one killer of American teens. The Ad Council’s national survey released today also found that 75 percent of young adult drivers have sent a text message while driving; 49 percent have done it multiple times. 50 percent of respondents said that during the past month, they have been a passenger when a friend was texting while driving. “Raising awareness about the dangers facing kids today, including distracted driving, is an important part of my job, not only as attorney general, but as a father,” said Cuccinelli. “It is natural for kids to think they are invincible, but the reality is, they are not. This new PSA campaign will teach them that there are very real dangers-some fatal-associated with texting and

> Habeeb

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Page 4 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/18/11 -11/24/11

What is Your Child’s Job Description?

sports, academics, clubs, technology, peers, money, hobbies, etc. When we don’t help a child to be a contributing member of a family first, they will not have what they need to be able to handle success or failure in any of these other areas. A quick look at headlines regarding college and professional athletes over the last few years demonstrates this. We equip young men to be unbelievable players, without the self-discipline to manage their lives or make good decisions. When we train our kids to be contributing members of a family first, they learn the elements of success in life. They learn to think of others before themselves, to follow good leadership, communicate and negotiate effectively, handle the word “no,” be responsible, deal with frustration, manage their temper, that being happy is not a goal, suffering is not necessarily bad or permanent, and how you treat others is a better indicator of your character than any of your achievements. When we tell a child that they are going to miss soccer practice because of their attitude with us, even though they are the star player and the team depends on them and…blah, blah, blah, they begin to realize what is most important. It is a tough struggle to be counter-culture, but it is our job. Remember, we are not “of the world.” We don’t like being the “bad guys” as many put it when we have to step up and teach these lessons, but we will reap the rewards in the successful lives of our children. So, ask yourself, “What job description have I given my child”?

Local Crossword

Star-Sentinel Crossword for 11/18/2011

1 Phonograph record 5 Environmental protection agency (abbr) 8 Coffee brand 11 Plaque 13 Middle 14 Promissory note 15 Local heating and air conditioning company that offers 'a breath of fresh air'. 16 Respiratory disease 17 Telegraphic signal 18 MD 20 Scholastic 22 Opportunely 26 Shopping paper 27 Coffee and Tea shop open 7 days a week on Grandin Rd. in Roanoke. 28 Turmoil 30 Short-term memory 31 Shovels, for example 32 Telegraphic signal 35 Tropical fruit 36 Gumbo 37 Jab 39 Begins a journey 41 High-class 43 Tree 44 Honey abr. 45 Scull 47 Contradict 51 That (possessive) 52 Vase 53 Which Star Sentinel writer received 2 VA Press Women Awards in 2010? 54 Scriptural your 55 Tailor 56 Ooze

15 18 22

17 20

drove in from Catawba to the Holiday Inn Civic Center to speak with cast members before they boarded their tour bus for the next stop in Greenville, S.C. The next morning no one could find Keillor. Eventually word came that he had risen early and flown ahead so he could work on his screenplay -- this despite staying up late and sharing with cast members the jar of moonshine a fan had given him after the Kiwanis speech. The lesson here, and it’s one I observed many times, is that high achievement comes mainly to those who outwork and outthink others by throwing themselves into their tasks practically every waking hour of their days. I was not surprised to read, later, another Keillor essay in which he described his heart surgery and medically required abstention from alcohol. Everything has its price. And many things have their rewards. It’s up to us to decide how much we are willing to pay. I will never forget the dichotomy between the oldtimey radio show and the crew’s feverish, high-tech preparations. As we talked, Tom Keith mentioned that he and other cast members had once visited frequent guest performers Robin and Linda Williams at their home in Middlebrook, a white frame farmhouse with a modern addition that did not detract from its rural charm. Another cast member walked by and Keith stopped him. He mentioned the visit to Middlebrook and asked, “Was that when we played golf at the Homestead?” I still laugh when I think about it. Keith was the son of a 3M manager who frequently performed on the radio. His sweater vest and bow tie gave him the appearance of an accountant or small- town clerk, but he was a former U.S. Marine who got his start in the radio business as a sound engineer. Later he became host of a St. Paul morning show with Keillor. His appearance provided no clue to his fame. Some four million people now tune in each week. Tom Keith died of heart failure while driving himself to the hospital. He was 64, a good guy, and they’re the ones I always remember, if not always their names. Contact Joe Kennedy cuppajoekennedy@gmail.com

40 43

47 53 56

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1 Pat 2 The other half of Jima 3 Spied 4 Creeds 5 Extremely high frequency (abbr.) 6 Juice solids 7 Which local restaurant offers $1.50 tapas and the full flavor of Mexico? 8 Muffler company 9 Knee 10 Nobody wins with a head ----. (from Paul Blart: Mall Cop) 12 Let fall 19 Powdered chocolate 21 Pluto 22 American Cancer Society (abbr.) 23 Set 24 Revolutions per minute

Sound Guys Hard to Forget

DOWN

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spent 36 years in daily tributions were the funniest journalism, and in that things about many of Garrison time my memory per- Keillor’s humorous skits. formed some marvelous tricks. I interviewed Keith backFor a long spell, I could walk stage many years ago when down the street, see someone Keillor brought his troupe to a block away whom I’d inter- perform in two shows at the viewed 20 or 25 years earlier, Roanoke Civic Center. Keiland, when we stopped to talk, lor, a forbidding person when I could converse as if we’d been questioned by the media, neighbors for deworked himself into cades. I’d remember a dead-serious lather everything about that nearby, throwing person’s history and together elements almost most everytaken from previthing that went into ously used skits and the story. But I could songs. seldom remember the Featured performperson’s name. ers fidgeted while the I suspected that show’s producer and Joe Kennedy people sensed the gap her team hunched as I asked specific questions over laptop computers refinabout their jobs, their families ing bits and calling for musical and the most obscure details of arrangements to be faxed from their lives. But I never let on. If the show’s office in St. Paul, they had called me at the office Minnesota. Keith and I sat off and told me their names, I’d to the side in folding metal have known exactly who they chairs. He was without airs -were. But I could not produce quiet-spoken, modest about the names. his talent and clever with his Since having my stroke and tools. developing some pain, my I remember many other energy has flagged a bit, but I things from famous show’s still remember specific things visit: the friendliness of singabout specific people whom er Kate McKenzie and the I haven’t seen in years. I may quiet grace of Jay Ungar and forget to balance the check- Molly Mason, preservers of book, but the really important American string music famed stuff, like your dog’s struggle for their soundtracks to the with gout, is retrievable at all documentaries of Ken Burns, times. including “The Civil War.” A couple of weekends ago, I Mason’s upright bass did not was listening to public radio’s arrive as planned, so at my “A Prairie Home Companion” suggestion, she borrowed one on WVTF-FM in Roanoke from Ken Rattenbury at his and was surprised to learn that nearby Fret Mill music shop. Tom Keith had died. Keith was After the show that night, the show’s sound effects man, the cast and crew repaired to Contact Keith at the talent whose comic con- the old Mediterranean Restaupsycyou@msn.com rant on Campbell Avenue and had themselves a grand, rauWe now offer cous time. Acupuncture, The next day Keillor delivLaser therapy, & ered a hilarious speech at the At Hanging Rock Animal Hospital, we offer traditional, Homeopathic meeting of the Downtown Kias well as holistic treatments for your furry family members. nts! tme trea wanis Club, and that afternoon he stood for an hour inside “Books, Strings and Things” signing books for adoring fans, saying something witty to practically everyone. (He later wrote an Op Ed piece for the New York Times extolling Roanokers’ all-American www.hangingrockah.com charm.) Please stop by to meet our great team, tour our hospital, and find out why The freezing rain predicted we offer the best compresensive wellness care for you pet. for the morning after the secCinthia L. Honeycutt, DVM Todd Czarnecki, DVM, CVA Laura Nelson, DVM ond show did not arrive, so I 1910 Loch Haven Drive • Roanoke, VA 24019 • 540-562-4596

f you had to write a “kid later success in life. I would tend job description” what to disagree. would you write? I was I would argue that success in actually asked this question re- life is based more on the develcently…and it is a fabulous one. opment of the “whole” child in So much of the time we focus such a way that they are able to on what parents are to be doing manage and cope with whatever in raising our children that we the world throws at them. School forget or miss what the eventual only deals with part of this and goal is. A good job description does not prepare our children should encompass the eventual for when they graduate with a goal of where we would like our 4.0 from college and can’t find a children to be. In other words, job. At this point a young adult if we are training our has to face the reality children, what are we that success in school training them for? does not always mean I often ask parsuccess later in life. At ents what their child’s this point many young number one job is. I adults have a wakeup get many different call from reality….. answers; to have fun, and move back in with to be respectful, to their parents. be obedient, and to If I had to write a embrace life… but “job description” for a Keith McCurdy one always reigns kid, and all parents do, supreme, school. It I would suggest this; sounds good. I hear it repeated to be a contributing member of by teachers and see it written in the family so as to prepare them articles all the time. It is such a to be a contributing member of clear message that whenever I society. How a child is trained ask a kid what their main job is, I to function in their family is almost exclusively hear “school.” the best incubator for life as an When I ask why, I am told that adult. This is not a new concept. they know it is their job because It is only in the last 50 years or it is what their parents pay the so that we have been distracted most attention to or fuss at them from that goal by many things, the most about. It is easy to see mostly good things, but distractthat a child’s success in school is ed nonetheless. believed by most today to be the As a society we have regularly best determining factor in their put things in front of the family:

ACROSS

25 When push comes 50 Sixth sense to __ 29 “Remember the __” 31 Area business bath remodeler who provides the right fit, best value, and has an A+ rating with the BBB. 32 Danish krone (abbr.) 33 Raiders of the Lost __ ( Harrison Ford movie) 34 In possession of 35 Petrol 36 The local funeral service which has served Roanoke for over 100 years. 37 Indolence 38 Bitter herb 40 Baby's "ball" 41 Voucher for a small debt 42 Past By Don Waterfield 46 Compass point Find the answers online: NewsRoanoke.com 48 Downwind Have a clue and answer you’d like to see? email: puzzles@newsroanoke.com 49 Anger

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Honeybees Buzzing Back in 2011 What with the extremes of tionship that should not surprise temperature and rainfall, and us, as the bees and their hooded cursed by more than the usual keepers share a common organic cadre of pests in the vegetable chemistry and cellular biology. garden this year, it was not a stelLoss of honey bees’ services lar season. But it will be a memo- would be catastrophic, since rable summer for this “three of every ten one reason: the honey bites we eat” (or more bees are back! Or at depending on whose least it seemed so in stats you use) is the reour small corner of the sult of bee pollination. world. Look at this list of From the first flush food plants pollinatof dandelions in our ed by the honeybee. lawn until the final http://goo.gl/V91hA blossoms fell from the Our relationship with October chrysanthebees is an economy mums out back, we we have nurtured for Fred First have seen more doour benefit--not the mestic honey bees this bees’. And their taintyear than in all the 11 years com- ed environment is largely of our bined since we moved to Goose making, not theirs. Creek. The list of challenges to beeThe several Floyd County keepers has always been long-bee keepers I know have been verroa mites and tracheal mites, upbeat. They have had mostly fungi, viruses and a variety of very good honey production insect infestations and brood this year, with nothing like the diseases. But humankind has 30% hive mortality that has been lately added some new stressors common many places as a wave and threats. of bee death and disappearance Recently, nano-particles addhas swept across the globe since ed to diesel fuel for improved 2005 and 2006. combustion have come under With some measure of hope, I suspicion for causing both huthought I would revisit the plight man and bee disorders. These of the honeybee, since first writ- substances mask the smells that ing five years ago about the omi- bee’s follow, as well as impairing nous, early days of a bee plague their navigational systems. that has since become infamousThe antibiotics used to keep ly well-known as CCD--Colony bee hives healthy, paradoxically, Collapse Disorder. might be implied in an increase But is the future looking less in hive mortality. And, like their bleak today than it was five years excessive use in feedlots, antibiago for these hard-working in- otics overused in treating bees sects we have made so busy on can lead to selection for even our behalf for so many centu- more virulent hive pathogens. ries? Do we know now what’s Hauling hives over great disbeen happening to bee colonies tances for almond grove and and how to protect them from other fruit pollination has becollapsing? come common. Not surprisingly, While some pieces of the mys- this causes stress on this insect so tery are known, more than a few finely tuned to the geography of important uncertainties remain. its place in the world. It seems clear, though, that the Any toxin that ends up in honeybee’s health and our own plants and their pollen can have will rise and fall together--a rela- an impact on bee health. Both

genetically-modified and pesticide-laden pollen have been implicated, as well as dust from insecticide-coated seed. (You might find online and read “Pesticide Blowout.”) Of particular concern is a group of pesticides called neonicotinoids. In 2008, when these substances (especially clothianidin and imidacloprid) were found in large numbers of dead bees in Germany, the use of these insecticides was immediately halted. (There were popular demonstrations in Italy, France and Slovenia last month against these pesticides on behalf of the bees.) http://goo.gl/62xpm In America, on the other hand, the EPA has looked the other way and sanctioned questionable science that ostensibly suggests that these chemicals do bees no harm under field conditions. There are parallels here to the industrybiased “science” of safe cigarettes of an earlier era that many of us still remember. But Floyd County bee-keeper Mark Chorba, member of the New River Valley Beekeeping Association, confirms that, although he’s had one colony completely disappear this year, overall the bee-keeping enterprise is alive and well in our area. And more bees buzzing this year is probably not just wishful thinking after all, he says. More people have been attracted to bee-keeping by the increased focus on honeybees due to CCD. That last sentence is perhaps the most hopeful thing I offer here in this second look at the plight of the bees: the more we have become aware, the more we have been made to care. The more we care, the more likely we will be to bring the bees--and ourselves--back to good health. Fred First / Floyd County VA Books: slowroadhome.com

Everyone Has Something to Write

t was four years ago to- to agree. In the press in genday I wrote my first col- eral, there are columnists who umn for The Roanoke I regularly read and those that Star-Sentinel. I regularly avoid. That says Now, 114 columns later I much more about my personal took a look at what I have pro- preferences than it does about duced. When I started out I had the newsworthiness of the arno, I mean no, formal training ticles. in writing and I hope I have In these four years I have aclearned a few things. cumulated enough for a book . Stuart Revercomb is to be . . one that I will not assemble. admired for his almost single- That brings to mind the queshanded management of the pa- tion: What will happen to all I per. He has had a lot of good have written, the columns, the help, but the idea, its books, the poetry, afimplementation, and ter I have shuffled off its continuation have the mortal coil? largely been orchesI have some expetrated by him. Being rience with that. My asked to be a regular father was a minister contributor has given who over the course me an outlet that I of his life produced have enjoyed and I more than four thouhope will continue. sand sermons, each The titles of my with a manuscript. offerings have been Hayden Hollingsworth After his death, I quite varied. There was troubled about have been some articles that what to do with his life’s work. I have been personal but I have went through and picked out a kept my eyes open for other few from each decade and gave topics, those of a more gen- them to his church’s archives eral interest. That, in itself, has where, I suspect, they will lay been valuable because I pay untouched. The remainder, I more attention to what’s hap- took to a recycling center and pening than I otherwise might. heaved them into the dumpster Knowing that I have to pro- labeled File Paper. duce something on a regular It was not a happy feeling, basis has sharpened by obser- but I rationalized it by thinkvations. ing each was written for a The temptation to use the specific audience at a specific column for personal opinion time. Someone who heard it is not easy to resist, nor is that may have profited so its job necessarily bad. The editor has the right, although in my case it has never been exercised, to moderate what a columnist writes. It is, after all, the contributor’s column and short of outrageous articles, they are best left as close to their author’s views as possible. No one is required to read them and certainly, no one is required

was done; the sermons could be discarded. If a similar thing happens to my thousands upon thousands of pages, my heirs should not feel badly. The work they were intended to do has been accomplished . . . or not. I’m not a skilled writer but one who records things seen and felt. The purpose of writing this particular column is not about my work, my life, or my writings. It is to remind that each of us have stories to tell. They may or may not need sharing, but in their writing they will give a clarification to those who record them. I have been lucky to have had this venue, one that is not open to many writers but anyone can write a journal and I would encourage that activity. Although I receive frequent positive comments on my columns, as well as some negative ones, they have a way of keeping my interests broadened. The act of journalling can do the same thing. Whether one is a columnist or an individual recording his/her own thoughts and reactions, a sharper focus is always a good thing. Who knows, maybe Stuart will pick you up as a columnist!

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a coffee table. Incredibly, Roscoe’s timing following DST is EXACTLY one hour off. Now, when 8:30 comes around, our excited clock-watcher flies into his routine only to be told to sit back down, much to his confusion. He must think that he is losing his mind or is convinced that everyone else has. Basset Hounds are generally not very animated dogs and Roscoe is really no exception other than when he rings the dinner bell. Mostly Roscoe sleeps, lies outside in the sun and plops his head down on my wife Janet’s lap. He is our third Basset. I chose the Basset Hound in remembrance of “Penny,” my Aunt Sadie’s dog, and because they are the only breed that makes even me look “dynamic.” Equipped with two sleep masks on each side of their head, Basset’s will often drape an ear over their eyes to assure complete darkness as they slumber. Sometime, probably in the middle of next week, Roscoe will make the necessary adjustments and right his time keeping ship. I will miss his extra per-

formance each night. It reminds me of a small child screaming “SURPRISE” every time a guest enters the house, an hour before their sister’s surprise party. Yet, there is a lot one can say about Roscoe’s steadfast resolve as well. In these trying times, it sure is nice to have something on which you can depend.

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My Dogs Don't Do Time Zones

he state of Arizona stringent schedule. does not believe in Roscoe can be (and often is) daylight savings time in a coma-like sleep seconds beand neither does my dog Roscoe. fore supper arrives, with no inAlong with Hawaii, Arizona dedication of movement or sound cided to stay on “standard” time whatsoever. Milliseconds before all year long, opting to give up chow time (when we consider an hour of their world famous checking his vital signs, fearing scorching heat, thus the worst) Roscoe sparing their seniorwill suddenly spring centric populace any to his paws, shoot off unplanned cremations of the couch, and spin in July. Until recently, around wildly, as if Indiana spurned DST Publisher’s Clearing and used there own House was standing complicated remedy on our porch with ten which required the million dollars worth state to keep an M.I.T of Beggin Strips. Rosprofessor on retainer coe’s deep, resoundJon Kaufman during the dog day ing, unforgettable months. Sadly, budget howl fills the air and cuts pushed the Hoosiers to join continues until his face is full the rest of us. of Alpo. However, twice a year, Roscoe, our Basset Hound, Roscoe, the furry alarm clock, is the self-appointed timekeep- needs to be reset. er in our home. Whether it is The whole time switching feeding time, medicine time, or thing always has Roscoe outtime for a doggie treat, you can of-sorts for a week or two. It’s bet Roscoe will (less than gen- kind of like when Shiloh, our tly) sound the call to action and blind diabetic beagle, accigather the troops. Our pack dently discovers that someone dines at 9:30am and 9:30pm, has moved the furniture as he due to our diabetic Beagle’s rushes to the door and T-bones

11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 5

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A Few Thoughts at 63 and Counting

lying across the highway in front of me was a crow; and in its beak, a long piece of limp brown grass; the common, underfoot type of limp brown grass; no treasure. But to the crow, this will form a part of the nesting which will house its family, keep them warm from the winds and safe from predators. In nature - perhaps in life- there is a value to everything, taken from the right perspective.

itself for uncounted ages. I recall the old saying: if it’s stupid, and it works… it ain’t stupid.

One of the injured Sabrina and I took in last year was a bluebird, a creature that mates for life. He hit a window and knocked himself out. The folks who bought him to us told how his mate tried to nuzzle his unconscious body into wakefulness, but flew off to a nearby branch as the human Samaritans came to rescue him. It looked bad. Sabrina is well acquainted There’s a storm with stunning; it’s like making up outside a concussion. Three my window; pewterdays later, he was colored clouds rolling fully recovered and Lucky Garvin in. The wind is fitful; we took him back birdcalls uncertain. to where he had The man who does my yard is been injured. His mate was hurrying to mulch the leaves still there; he flew up to her; before the storm hits. I pause, they perched together on the for I have a feeling of seeing bough, and I can just imagine this before. At some moment the conversation: in childhood, I must have linShe: So you just take off and gered before some kindred leave me. No ‘good-byes’, no scene and been unaware that a faxes… memory was being impressed He: I was knocked out! and stored. When I came to, I’d been taken In the Fall, brother Denny by aliens! and I and Mom would rake She: Aliens. Right. the yard and heap that harvest He: Honest! They were huge, of leaves upon the flower beds. at least five feet tall! And they “A blanket for winter; nourish- had no feathers or beaks… ment for spring’” Mom thus Then all of a sudden, they explained mulching the flow- bought me back here! ers. She was raised on a farm She: [flying off] You must in a time of such financial im- think I’m a bird-brain! You’re poverishment that people were sleeping on the sofa tonight, forced into a sympathy and bucko! partnership with Nature’s proPoor guy! vision. The earth has mulched

Circumstance and choices: a quilting; a counterpane that lies across time and interconnects the generations. A spur of the moment decision - nothing more than a whim long ago, sets a certain wrinkle in the quilt, and, years later, the tug is felt; the effect revealed. The year is 1945. A PT boat bobs quietly out in the peaceful, lonely expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. World War II. It’s hot. Three of the crew decided to sleep on deck to capture whatever furtive, cooling breeze might chance by. I wonder what they thought of as the lapping waves lullabied them to sleep? And when the explosion shook the ship; what thoughts then? A torpedo from a marauding German U-boat. The boat sank; all the men below decks perished. The only survivors? Two men. And my father, [recently engaged to my mother.] He took a notion to stay on deck that night. “What the heck. I’ll sleep outside.” It was hot that night, you see. . . Look for Lucky’s books locally and on-line: The Oath of Hippocrates; The Cotillian; A Journey Long Delayed. Contact Lucky Garvin at info@theroanokestar.com

The Roanoke Star-Sentinel

Holiday

11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 6

Bittersweet Memories

ne Saturday in early soup for supper on a chilly auNovember as my tumn evening. Throughout the granddaughter and summer she canned tomatoes, I strolled through the Roanoke “soup mix,” with tomatoes, butCity market area, admiring the terbeans and corn, snap beans, colorful display of fruits and beet and cucumber pickles, vegetables, I noticed a booth and plenty of fruit jellies and with piles of bittersweet twigs. I jams for hot biscuits during the hadn’t seen bittersweet for many winter. The filled glass jars were years and the sight transported placed on shelves in the cellar, me to my childtheir rich colors rihood. I recall my valing expensive jewmother clipping the els. Autumn brought wiry tendrils of this feelings of thankfulvine that grew abunness and joy. And dantly along a fence sweet memories. near my childhood Bitter – perhaps home. Bittersweet bitter is too harsh a doesn’t stand out in word for the sadness summer when the I felt in late autumn, tiny greenish-white even during childMary Jo Shannon blossoms appear, but hood. The leaves in autumn its yelfell, their brilliant lowed leaves drop and light-or- hues disappeared and their ange seed pods burst, revealing crisp, brown bodies crackled bright red-orange berries. These beneath our feet. Trees lifted multicolored twigs are perfect bare limbs toward the gray sky, for Thanksgiving decorations. surrendering to the season. I’m not sure why this aggressive Soon the days would grow coldvine was named “bittersweet,” er and we could no longer go but perhaps it’s because all parts for long walks. Mama was also of it are deadly poisonous. Nev- sad to see the season draw to a ertheless, bittersweet is a perfect close, but her reminder that afmetaphor for the memories that ter winter, spring would renew haunt me in late autumn. the earth, and the cycle would Autumn was my mother’s begin again, gave me hope and favorite season. She loved the diminished the sadness. brisk chill of the air and the Mama grew older, was widwind that ruffled our hair as owed. All five children marwe walked the country road on ried and established homes of Sunday afternoons, gathering their own, leaving her alone. black walnuts and hickory nuts, We encouraged her to move to or munching the spicy tartness a retirement home where she of “rusty-coated apples” that would have more social interacgrew on a scrawny tree along the tion, but despite a diagnosis of fence row. She loved the purple multiple myeloma, she refused. wild asters, “Farewell Summer,” She loved her neighbors – she that grew along the road and we would stay in her own home, gathered an armload to bring although she could no longer autumn into her kitchen. work outside. I tried to think of Mama loved the final har- something to interest her and vest of the garden – the last of fill the lonely hours. the tomatoes, corn, butterbeans In her youth, she had hoped and cabbage that simmered someday to become a published on the wood stove, becoming author. But her busy life as the

mother of five squelched that ambition. I yearned to help make her dream come true, to help her produce a book. Since her vision was deteriorating, I bought her a tape recorder to record the many stories she told us about her childhood. I planned to transcribe them and print a booklet for her children and grandchildren. She was eager to begin. As I listened to the first tape, I knew she was reading. She confessed -- she “could not talk to that machine.” So her stories were recorded in pencil in a stenographer’s notebook, ready to be typed and copied. Her first and only book, When I Was a Little Girl, with her three-yearold picture in the front was distributed to each of her children and grandchildren. She was thrilled to become an author, now in the autumn of her life. In September of 1981 we learned that Mama’s multiple myeloma was terminal. My sister and her husband and young daughter came from Richmond to live with her. In late November, a chest X-Ray revealed a tumor in her lungs, which had been concealed it until it grew larger than her heart that covered it and could be detected. Too large for surgery. That Thanksgiving was bittersweet. We were all thankful for the many years she was among us. We were sad knowing her days were few. But we had hope. Mama survived until after the Christmas holidays. So autumn conjures up bittersweet memories as the vine of our family’s life continues to grow. Contact Mary Jo at maryjoshannon@ymail.com

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Here's How Things Happen, And How They Don't

n November 11, In 1954, Armistice Day was 1918, "the war to expanded to honor veterans of end all wars" ended. all of the nation's wars, and to Armistice occurred on the 11th be known as "Veterans Day." hour of the 11th day of the 11th In 2008, Frank Woodruff month. Buckles, the last surviving vetIn 1926, Congress passed a eran of the World War I, visited resolution declaring the National Mall at November 11 to be the age of 107. He a day of observation, noted the extreme and directed that on disrepair of the DC that day the U.S. flag memorial, and issued should be flown at eva call that it should be ery federal building. repaired and redediIn 1931, a small cated as a national memorial was dedimemorial honoring cated on the National ALL U.S. veterans of Mall in Washington the Great War. honoring the 499 In March 2011, Mike Keeler Wa s h i n g t on i a n s Frank Buckles died, who gave their lives while refurbishin World War I. ments of the DC World War I In 1938, an act of Congress memorial were underway. He was passed making November was buried with full honors at 11 a federal holiday, to honor Arlington; his family was visited the veterans of World War 1, there by President Obama and and to be known as "Armistice Vice President Biden. Day." Last Friday the memorial was

rededicated at 10AM. However, due to the objection of several groups in the District of Columbia, including the National Capital Memorial Committee, the memorial remains dedicated to DC veterans only. Accordingly the United States has no national memorial honoring ALL the veterans of World War I, the third bloodiest conflict in our nation's history. Here's what you can do: At some point this week give a thought to the 116,516 Americans who gave their lives in the Great War. After that, visit wwimemorial.org and find out how you can support Senate Bill 2097, the Frank Buckles World War I Memorial Act, and help create a National World War I Memorial. Contact Mike at info@theroanokestar.com

Old Order Brethren (German Baptists) Still Flourish in Roanoke

f you're new to the Roanoke Valley, or even if you've been here for many years, you've probably wondered about the bearded men with cropped hair who often drive school buses and the women in their neat mesh caps and plain long dresses buying in the grocery store. These Christian folk are not the Amish of Pennsylvania but Old Order Brethren, sometimes called Old German Baptists an ultra conservative group of German background who believe in nonresistence in regard to conflict and in everyday life succeed in living much as valley residents did 150 years ago. These Brethren, separate from the more numerous Church of the Brethren but at one time the same group, worship in a simple meeting house on Woodhaven Road in Northwest Roanoke County. Unlike the Amish who still use buggies to get around, the Roanoke area Old Order Brethren drive cars of a subdued color. Many still farm or earn their living by carpentry and other crafts. Some sell produce grown on the land and are good repairers of lawn and garden equipment. "The uniform," as they call their distinctive dress, is not worn until a young adult - usually not before the age of 18 - makes a commitment to join the church by triune immersion. It's a big commitment, for these folk take seriously their separation from the modern world. Until fairly recent years, an elementary school education was considered sufficient for children, but this has been somewhat modified. Leaders of congregations are not ordained but men may attain the title of elder for long years of fidelity and service. Men and women sit separately in the meeting house with children taking their place by sex with their elders as they approach school age. There are no organized Sunday schools. Communion, taken quarterly, is closed to those not of the faith, but one may observe the lengthy service --it includes a real meal of beef and bread, the washing of feet, a "holy kiss" to those of the same sex and finally the partaking of bread and wine.

Years ago, I was able to observe the Love Feast service and to borrow a manual of beliefs and practices from the mother of a friend of my son. Not much has changed since those days about 30 years ago, I learned recently, when I was able to share briefly in "a singing" held at the Peters Creek Church of the Brethren on Cove Road. The Peters Creek Church is the mother congregation of Churches of the Brethren in this area. Its fellowship hall, where the singing was held, dates to 1845 and was used as a hospital at the time of the small Battle of Hanging Rock in 1864. Relations are cordial today between the Old Order folk and the more modern Church of the Brethren, the Rev. Dr. Jack Lowe, pastor for 16 years at Peters Creek, indicated. However, there seems no question of a merger. The division of old order and modern occurred more than 100 years ago when the traditionalists bought property across Peters Creek and built their own frame meeting house. On my previous visit in the 1980s it was heated by a stove and had no indoor plumbing. Some years later the congregation built several miles away and added the barest modern amenities. Arriving late for "the singing," which I only expected to listen to, I found the hall filled with more than 100 people of all ages. A young woman in her long dark dress and cap offered me one of the few seats and shared her hymnal with me. It's a capella presented joyfully with the several hymns coming from two hymnals with the shaped notes associated with an earlier time. However, nearly all were familiar to me from my own childhood with an evangelical Presbyterian mother. The Old Order Brethren folk regard modern communication as contrary to their separation from the world - neither seeking nor permitting much attention to themselves. Surprisingly, they do not seek to convert others nor send missionaries since, their manual states, this was done by the early Christian followers of Jesus. The family and the customs on which children are reared are supposed to do the rest. - Frances Stebbins

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11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 7

Richmond Marathon A Real Kick

’m padding up a fairly quent intervals. People are yelllong, straight, and in this ing encouragement, holding up case rather bleak section comical signs, even jumping up of North Boulevard, at mile 19, and down. And they aren’t just when my sister Ginny rides up on the lookout for their own on her bike. She’s been looking friends and family out on the for me, not only to determine if race course; they are there for I am still in fact kickme, too. This year, ing, but to give me upon registering for encouragement. After the marathon, one a hearty dose of the lathad the option of inter, she pedals off with cluding a nickname a cheery, “see you at the to be printed in bold finish line!” and I’m left letters on the number once again to ponder bib. This enables the my fate and look forspectators to yell out ward to the aid station your name as you John W. Robinson at Bryant Park, at mile slog by. 21. Earlier in the race I This is the 34th annual Rich- came upon a reveler on the sidemond Marathon, and yes in a lines dressed in a kind of fantasy moment of weakness I com- animal costume, performing a mitted to it a few months ear- strange dance, accompanied by lier. It would be son Ian’s first weird sounds from a boom box. marathon, and I thought I could I think he was trying to encourshow him the ropes, as it were. age us runners along. Pointing I remember remarking noncha- to the dancer, I joked to the lantly to family and friends, “Oh bloke jogging beside me, “I’d yeah, I’ve run the Richmond rather be doing this than that!” - several times, in fact.” Then har har. I was still fairly lucid, I did some figuring and real- and self-assured, at that point. ized that the last time I ran that I think I’ve high-fived a coumarathon was in 1987. Oh boy. ple hundred spectators by now. I have in fact participated in sev- The little kids are the best. They eral other marathons since then, eagerly slap my hand as I hold it but you get my drift. I’m not re- out as I pass. As my mind - not ally the Ethiopian distance run- to mention my entire body ner of my dreams. slowly goes numb, seeing friends Self-billed as “America’s and family along the way is a big Friendliest Marathon”, the Rich- boost. I even stop and chat now mond race seems to fit this de- and then, until I realize further scription well. Besides a verita- along how hazardous that could ble army of cheerful volunteers be. Once I stop, it may well be handing out water at 18 differ- impossible to get this body ent aid stations, the local popu- moving again. lace is out in force. Amazingly, At some point Ian passes me. there is little of the entire 26.2 He had been pacing himself mile course which is not lined wisely, and now gallops past me with enthusiastic spectators. strong and happy. He is soon There are bona fide parties, out of sight, but it gives me a RSS Barb 30th ad 3x10.25_Layout 1 11/14/11 9:13 AM Page 1 with live bands or DJ’s at fre- smile and a lift. After all, “that’s

my boy.” Mile 21.5. The course now takes us down Brook Road, headed straight for downtown and the finish line. My brotherin-law Billy had told me earlier, “When you can see the tall buildings of downtown above the trees, you’ve got it made.” I can’t see them yet. Persevering, I plod on. I move in a kind of suspended animation, in the midst of a straggled-out line of runners, hardly “racers” anymore, occasionally passing, or being passed by, a fellow traveler on this strange trip. All the while I’m pleasantly distracted by the ever present din from the sidelines. At 23 miles a full gospel band is belting out the lyrics, “ I ain’t tired...I ain’t tired...I’m runnin’ for Jesus... Runnin’ for Jesus...” Three more miles to go. Now I am thinking exactly what I thought at this point in the other marathons I have done: “No way will I ever do this again. This is nuts!” It’s now several hours after the finish. It was all a weird dream; a hallucination, right? There was my family, and pizza, and bananas, and cookies. No, it was real, they assure me, and my aching legs confirm this. I completed the 34th Suntrust Richmond Marathon and did ok, with a time of three hours and twenty-seven minutes. I know in a matter of a few days – ok maybe weeks - the memories and recollections of the misery will dim, and I’ll probably start training for another one. That is, after I’m able to stop walking like Frankenstein. Contact John Robinson at jwrobinson77@gmail.com

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Page 8 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/18/11 -11/24/11

Radio Readers Get The Word Out

It wasn’t that long ago that families gathered around the radio, listening to soap operas, Westerns, and the news. Nowadays, people are more often gathered around their televisions, iPhones, iPads, or other mobile devices. But there’s still a group of people for whom getting information through the radio is an integral part of their lives. They’re the visually impaired - about 2,000 residents of Central and Southwestern Virginia who get their news and information through the Radio Reading Service. “The majority of listeners are in the Roanoke, Lynchburg and Danville areas;” says Radio Reading Service (RRS) Director Ben Martin. The service operates out of studios located at WVTF Public Radio in Roanoke. “The radio reading service provides readings from current newspapers, books, and magazines 24 hours a day, seven days a week on this radio station’s (WVTF) subcarrier.” “If it’s in the newspaper, if it’s in the book, if it’s in the magazine, then you read it.” The volunteers choose what to read but, “We try to stay with best seller lists, book club lists, that kind of publication; publications that have a fresh copyright.” A special receiver is needed to receive the broadcast but the RRS provides the receiver at no cost to the listener. To get the receiver, you can

Rita Kaczmarek (L) and Lotty Hebblethwaite prepare to begin a reading session. call WVTF at (540) 989-8900 and ask to speak to Ben Martin; you can download the application off the website, wvtf.org, and mail it in, or complete it online. The RRS, which started more than 30 years ago in the late 1970s, partners with Voice of the Blue Ridge to provide equipment and about 100 volunteers. One person who has been volunteering her time as a reader for just over a year is Lotty Hebblethwaite from Roanoke. She and fellow volunteer Rita Kaczmarek come to the studios to read the Lynchburg and Danville newspapers once a week. “I wanted to do volunteer work and it’s something I can do,” says Hebblethwaite. She often wonders about what listeners think of her reading. “It’s taped, so we don’t ever get any feedback.” “We read local news and avoid the national news; the national

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Odds are you may know someone who has experienced domestic violence. They may not reveal their circumstances when they sit down in the church pew, but you know them none-the-less. What you may not know is that there is a shelter in the Roanoke Valley called Turning Point that is run by the Salvation Army. On a recent day it held a total of 50 people, 33 of whom are children. Most of them arrived with the clothes on their backs. Some of them were directed there by police officers. Sounds ugly doesn’t it? Many of us don’t want to look ugly in the face but ignoring the situation means that women and children are left in dire circumstances. Darlene Young, the program director at Turning Point dreamt up a fundraiser that was held on November 12th. The event was held at the Patrick Henry Hotel with “Dancing with the Valley Stars” providing entertainment and funding for a great cause. Co-operation was necessary between seven local dance instructors and nine local notable personalities. Hours of sweat and training produced dancers hoofing for dollars placed in traditional Salvation Army red kettles that served as voting booths. Almost three hundred participants voted with their bucks and chose Melinda Payne of Salem and her dancing coach Bob Carroll as their winner. At the end of the evening over $26,000 was raised. It costs $1450 per day to

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Darling Young, Program Director for Turning Point, oversees the final touches for their Dancing with the Stars Fundraiser. provide for 50 people. Young states “It is only by the grace of God and the people of the Roanoke Valley that we get what we need.” Friendship Retirement Community was generous in offering support as the Title Sponsor. It takes courage to leave what you know in order to protect yourself and your children. An anonymous victim of domestic violence, now relocated to the Roanoke Valley, recalled her journey to safety and well being. “It took me years to establish a safe house for myself, and months to be willing to move to it. It took another year for me to decide to legally end the situation I was in. The journey was fraught with self doubt and pain. I couldn’t have done it without practical

Roanoke is now home to a unique world record thanks to the efforts of resident Trey Shannon who recently undertook a 24 hour Guinness World Record attempt for driving a kart solo at the New Castle Motorsports Park in central Indiana. Circulating around a 0.919-mile course, Shannon drove to a new record of 847.318-miles to beat the previous record, set by Lloyd de Boltz-Miller of the UK roughly one year ago. More importantly, Shannon was able to raise money and awareness for Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA). “It’s an unbelievable feeling to bring this record here to the United States,” said Trey after completing the 24 hour drive. “I really have to thank everybody who was involved in this event, as there’s no way I could have done this without the contribution of everyone involved. My team was absolutely stellar . . . It is such an honor to accomplish this World Record for the Tourette Syndrome

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Trey Shannon with his record setting kart.

Association, and I can’t thank them enough for everything they did to help make this event a success. Trey ran a total of 922 laps (847.318-miles) to beat the old record by 46 miles. During many of the stops, Shannon spent time with trainers to help keep his How Does Guaranteed Income Sound? body stretched and hydrated throughout the record-breaking Ask me how annuities can help. attempt Supporters can visit the 24 Don Lilly Agency | 540-989-1931 Hours for TSA website at www. kart24hour.org to get more details about the 24 Hours for TSA event and make donations to the Tourette Syndrome Association. Underwritten by United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, It’s not too late to make a donaMutual of Omaha Plaza, Omaha, NE 68175-0001 tion. AFN41703

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and emotional help. Today I have a new life and wonderful opportunities, but the first step was very hard.” Young expressed a need for donations of practical items. Money raised pays for heat, water, and the typical bills incurred for running a household. It is still necessary to provide personal care items that most of us use every day. Toothpaste, soap, diapers and other everyday hygiene items are necessary but expensive. Socks and underwear are at a premium when you leave your home with the clothes on your back. One of the items rarely considered are bus passes to make public transportation available for those trying to get around town to meet their needs for employment. “We used to have a couple that provided monthly bus passes for us, but the husband has died and that donation is no longer consistent” Young remarked. This year’s Dancing fundraiser was a great start but the need remains great. Please consider how you can help.

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11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 9

NewsRoanoke.com

Valley Santas Protect the Wonder and Mystery of Christmas

The first year Valley View Mall opened; Santa said he had a three-year-old boy come up and sit on his lap. He was crying. “Why are you crying?” Santa said he asked boy. “He reluctantly handed me his pacifier.” Santa said the boy quietly spoke between sobs: ‘Mom said that if I give this to you, I won’t need it anymore.’ “I took it. Thanked him and told him he was a good boy. A few days later the boy’s mother came to see me and said that her son had not asked for a pacifier. She said that he seemed content without it. After all these years, I still have that pacifier and it was the greatest gift I ever got as Santa. He trusted Santa.” This Santa, who asked not to be identified, said “You ask me why I do this? It’s to see the smiles whether they are four or 90 years old. I’ve held an eightmonth old baby who looked at me with wonder. How can you top that?” Santa said he likes visiting private homes, churches, medical care facilities, and business events. “I like to interact with a lot of different people,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. Santa said that he is very supportive of the stories and teaching the children get at church. “I treasure a book that I found many years ago. I always carry it with me. It has a drawing of Santa kneeling down to Baby Jesus. I’m always clear that it’s Jesus’ birthday we are celebrating. That Christmas is more than toys and presents. It’s about love and kindness. I know the Santa Oath and I honor it every minute I’m wearing the suit.” On these special visits, he

brings Mrs. Claus and The Elf who is a less than five-feet tall. Mrs. Claus is his real life human wife and The Elf is his motherin-law. “It’s become a family event for us. It’s fun and very special to us.” “It doesn’t matter where or what venue you appear as Santa, you have to want to do it. You have to love it. You can’t do it as a business.” The Santa of Roanoke’s Grandin Village parade also declined to give his name but said he’s been Santa for more than 30 years. “It’s all about the kids. It’s the look of amazement in their eyes. It’s for the kid in all of us and it’s all about what they think, not about what I think.” “I often get the question: ‘Are you the real Santa?’ “I smile and ask them what they think? If they think I am the real Santa Claus then I am the real Santa Claus. If they think reindeers fly, then yes, reindeers fly. If they think reindeers like celery with peanut butter, then, yes, reindeers like celery with peanut butter.” In evry visit seeing the children and their families is what it’s all about. But it’s even more special, Santa said, “when I know a child’s name before they meet me. They always look so shocked when I say their same. Isn’t that the way it is supposed to be?” Santa said that when he “puts on the suit” he is extremely careful about entering and leaving an event. Santa is preparing for the Grandin Village parade that will be Saturday, November 19 and he said they are always cooperative about my entrance and exit to the parade. “I always request an out-ofthe way entrance so I seem to

appear. I disappear just as quietly and quickly. Santa is secretive that’s how he’s supposed to be.” The Santa for the “CHIP Breakfast with Santa” that will be held December 10 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, said the event also honors his request for an out of the way entrance and exit. It’s amazing to see the children’s faces light up when I am suddenly there.” Santa recalled that a few years ago he spotted a young boy as he came into the event. “I caught his look instantly. I’ve seen it many times before. It said loud and clear: ‘I’m not going to do this’ (sit on Santa’s lap). I kept an eye on him as he worked his way around the room getting closer and closer as he watched the other children sit on my lap and talk to me. The event was nearly over when he finally approached me. I held out my arms and he jumped up on my lap. His name is Mitchell and he’s come back for several years. I’m always glad to see him and I always remember his name. It’s so wonderful watching the children grow up and I’ve seen so many grow up in the past 30 years.” “When you put the suit on, you have to remember that you are Santa. You have to know what that truly means. You can’t be seen smoking a cigarette or lounging around out of character. The Santa Oath should never be ignored by any Santa. It clearly states how Santa should act and reminds us of how important Santa is to the young and old. “It’s all about the children and I listen to them. I also whisper to them just before they leave that now ‘you’ve asked me for something, you need to give or do

Mrs. Claus and his Head Elf accompany Santa on his special visits to Roanoke children. something for your Mom and Dad and everyone you love’.” For a private home visit, Santa said he announces his arrival with “very loud jingle bells.” The parents usually send the child to see what the bells are all about and when the child opens the door, Santa is there. “The look of wonder and surprise then the huge smile as he sees Santa at the door is a few seconds that lasts me all year.” For more information or how to get in touch with Santa email Carol Kirtley at: carolkitley@cox. net

travels. I shall be dedicated to hearting the secret dreams of both children and adults. I understand that the true and only gift I can give, as Santa, is myself. I acknowledge that some of the request I will hear will be difficult and sad. I know in these difficulties there lies an opportunity to bring a spirit of warmth, understanding and compassion. I know the “real reason for the season” and know that I am blessed to be able to be a part of

Santa Claus Oath I will see knowledge to be well versed in the mysteries of bringing Christmas cheer and good will to all the people that I encounter in my journeys and

Roanoke Fire-EMS Honors Art Contest Winners

Pictured are the 15 winners of the 7th Annual Fire Prevention Week Art Contest that were recognized Tuesday night at Roanoke Fire-EMS Station 5. The contest was open to all students, grades K-8 in the City of Roanoke. The Art Specialists in each school then forwarded finalists to a judging panel. 50 entries were received and 15 winners were chosen by a panel of judges. The artwork was judged in three categories: aesthetics, creativity and safety message. This was the 7th year for this lifesaving event. Winners will also be recognized at the December 19, 2011 7pm City Council Meeting. This contest is sponsored by The Rockingham Group.

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I realize that I belong to a brotherhood and will be supportive, honest and show fellowship to my peers. I promised to use “my” powers to create happiness, spread love and make fantasies come to life in the true and sincere tradition of the Santa Claus Legend I pledge myself to these principles as a descendant of Saint Nicholas the gift giver of Myra. By Carol Kirtley info@newsroanoke.com

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Page 10 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/18/11 -11/24/11

Thanksgiving Meal Costs Increase for Virginians

Virginians will be able to feed their families a Thanksgiving meal for a little more than $4.80 per person this year, according to an informal price survey conducted by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. The survey of the price of basic items found on Americans’ Thanksgiving tables places the average cost of a traditional meal for 10 adults at $48.03. The menu includes turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. Prices were reported using no promotional sales or coupons. VFBF reports this year’s average represents a price increase of $4.46 over the 2010 average total price. The locality surveyed that

had the highest average cost for a meal was Keysville in Charlotte County at $60.59. The locality with the lowest average cost was Ruckersville in Greene County at $39.03. “It is not surprising that our Thanksgiving basket cost more in 2011 than last year,” said Jonah Bowles, VFBF agriculture market analyst. “Most agricultural prices around the world are much more expensive than in 2010. Add to that a higher transportation expense, and the 11 percent increase over 2010 prices becomes very understandable. “There are wide variations in prices of each component in the basket. It is to the advantage of the consumer to shop around for the best deals.” Based on surveys of grocery

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stores throughout Virginia, Farm Bureau found the average cost of a 16-pound turkey was $21.39 or $1.34 per pound. Consumers paid an average of $1.21 per pound last year. The organization found that the average price for a gallon of milk was $4.04; for peas, $1.71; for a 3-pound bag of sweet potatoes, $2.84; for celery, $1.68; for carrots, $1.44; for pie shells, $2.40; for whipping cream, $2.01; for canned pumpkin pie filling, $2.73; for cranberries, $2.48; for stuffing mix, $2.90; and for rolls, $2.41 a dozen. In its recent report, “A Revised and Expanded Food Dollar Series: A Better Understanding of Our Food Costs,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service notes that for every dollar Americans spend on food only 11.6 cents— a little more than a dime—goes back to the farms where that food originated. Using that percentage across the board, the farmers’ share of the average Thanksgiving meal cost in Virginia would be $5.57 this year. The USDA reports that Americans spend 9.5 percent of their disposable annual income on food—the lowest average of any developed country in the world.

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Drive-through pick-up window

Yes

Children’s area

Yes

Teen center

Yes

Public computers

Coffee shop operated by Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea with drive-through window and both indoor and patio seating

Yes

After-hours book lockers

Yes

Meeting room

2 80-seat rooms

1 50-seat room

Auditorium

Yes (203 seats)

new headquarters library for the Roanoke County Public Library system, replacing the current building at 3131 Electric Road, which has served as the headquarters library for almost 40 years. Situated on 29, largely undeveloped acres, South County will be three times the size of the current Library. The 419/Headquarters Li-

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# been in storage awaiting the move. During the time when the 419 Library closes on December 16 and South County opens on January 3, patrons are asked to assist with the following: • To minimize disruption, items checked out from the 419 Library will not be due during the transition period. Patrons are welcome to drop their items off at any library in the Roanoke Valley Libraries (RVL) system, which includes all the libraries in the counties of Roanoke and Botetourt and the cities of Roanoke and Salem. The 419 drop box will close permanently on January 3. • While the library is closed, patrons are asked to have reserved items sent to other libraries in the RVL system for pick up. • All book donations should be held until January 9. Books may be dropped off at the loading dock at South County starting that day. The loading dock is at the opposite end

the RVL system. The closest library is Roanoke City’s Raleigh Court Branch Library at 2112 Grandin Road (in front of Patrick Henry High School). Please check their website for hours of operation. The new South County Library is located across from Penn Forest Elementary School in the Starkey section of southwest Roanoke County. The new library will have the same operating hours as the 419 Library (Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Following a 10:00 a.m. dedication ceremony on Tuesday, January 3, South County Library will officially open to the public. Some of the features of South County Library include:

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Commentary

11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 11

NewsRoanoke.com

The Founders and Thanksgiving Rescue Mission Expansion Proposal Impacts Neighborhood No one disputes the need to house the homeless, especially for those who are victims of years of economic hardships, loss of employment and subsequently the loss ones home. It is these scenarios, I believe, we as a community of caring people have a responsibility to help those who find themselves needing shelter and food. We are, indeed, blessed to have such an outstanding facility as in what the Rescue Mission has provided over the years. But, at what point and at what cost should a neighborhood have to bear the tremendous burden, cost and responsibility of shouldering the good intentions of the Rescue Mission and the resulting fall out within and around the alleys and streets of our neighborhood? If the greatest numbers of those seeking food and logging were, in fact, victims of hard economics times as referred to above, I don't believe the neighborhood would be suffering such a negative fall out as what has been happening for years. Nor would the police depatment's extreme high call volume to the area be so high percentage-wise related to public drunkness and crime in the area. Years ago when S.E. was embroiled in opposing the women's shelter project, then city manger Darlene Burchum told us there would be no further expansion of the Rescue Mission based on the fact they could not build any more buildings. That expansion was so divisive that one home owner sold and left the neighborhood. In a recent one year period ending 7-1-11, stats supplied by the Roanoke City Police Dept. reveal there were 1,443 calls for response in the area around the Mission. Of these, 601 incidents of "quality of life" crimes, nearly twice as high compared to the rest of the city. Alcohol related offenses are five times higher than for the entire city. Police data shows 67% - 82% of offenders involved in 173 crime incidents around the mission were residents of the mission. You, the tax payer are paying for this additional need for the police. After these hard facts, Joy Sylvester-Johnson

made this unbelievable statement to the Roanoke Times: "The area around the Rescue Mission is one of the safest in Roanoke." Ms Sylvester-Johnson credibility has to be questioned. Her goal seems to be to accommodate the homeless at all cost with littkle or no concern for the neighbors in S.E. What home owner in any part of the city would find this acceptable if it were in or near your neighborhood? It is time for all the supporters and contributors of the mission to say, "No more Expansion and NO more contributions" until you can clean up and solve these problems that affect the hard working home owners in Southeast who are struggling so hard to clean up our neighborhoods as well as our image. The following is a statement released to the Roanoke Times, by Southeast Action Forum President Mark Powell: "Crime near the Mission is already at unacceptable levels, affecting hundreds of residents and numerous businesses nearby. An expansion would likely increase these problems. These issues must be addressed in order to ensure safety and well being in our neighborhoods. The needs of serving the homeless population in Roanoke should not come at the expense of residents who happen to live in the area. " Since I moved into S.E. six years ago, I have put a lot of sweat equity and time in working toward making all of S.E. a better neighborhood. Mark Powell and the new leadership of the Southeast Action Forum, with help and support of our police, code, and solid waste departments have been making positive strides for an improved neighborhood. The Mission's expansion will only bring in more crimes and problems, further over-burdening the Police Dept and diminishes the advancements we have accomplished after years of hard work. It is detrimental, not only for S.E., but the city as a whole. -E. Duane Howard, Roanoke

In Response to “Having Fun”

Dear Editor, Mr. Hollingworth's lament about the "circus" of politics,(Politics- Are We Having Fun Yet?) I'm sure, was received in agreement by most of us. The exception for me was the reference to the Tea Party's fight for Constitutional government as an "overused tea bag." We have watched the (old guard) "Republicans" edge closer to self destruction for years, without the help of the Tea Party. They have disappointed Republicans, Independents, and reasonable Democrats with their go along mediocrity, left us without passion in 2008, and have helped to bring us to the brink we are now precariously perched upon . . . Decidedly not fun. The Tea Party is a gift, anything but "overused", fresh and full of promise, an opportunity for getting back to the basic principles they have strayed from, and a chance for revival, strength and a true connection with the people they swore to represent.

As Hollingsworth mentions, Winston Churchill said "Americans can always be trusted to do the right thing ...after they've exhausted all other possibilities." It seems to me, we have exhausted all the other worst possibilities. It's time to see they do not work; it's time

to get involved, "do the right thing" and fight to save our Republic. Many feel we've come so far away from our principles and we may not get another chance. We need to have some fun again.

When principles - like the one in Somerville, Massachusetts - are trying to ban holidays like Columbus Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving from being celebrated, something is wrong with our view of American history. The principle wrote of her decision to ban Columbus Day: "For many of us and our students celebrating [Christopher Columbus] is an insult and a slight to the people he annihilated. On the same lines, we need to be careful around the Thanksgiving Day time as well." But this argument ignores what the first Thanksgiving was originally - and still is - about. Thanksgiving was a time to give thanks to God for his bountiful blessings. Among the first American settlers, the Pilgrims were faithful to give God thanks. Pilgrim Edward Winslow expressed their gratitude in the fall of 1621: "God be praised, we had a good increase of corn ... by the goodness of God, we are far from want." Winslow also records: "Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling (turkey hunting), so that we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors." The Pilgrims invited Chief Massasoit and his tribe for three days of feasting, games and celebration. The good relations the Pilgrims (and Puritans) enjoyed with the Natives lasted some 50 years. That tradition of Thanksgiving grew in colonial New England, and eventually spread. In fact, the Continental Congress issued a number of thanksgiving proclamations, like the one issued after the discovery of Benedict Arnold's treason that also offered gratitude to God for "prospering the labours of the husbandmen, and causing the earth to yield its increase in plen-

tiful harvests; and, above all, in continuing to us the enjoyment of the gospel of peace." A day after the first Federal Congress approved the Bill of Rights, which some claim includes the doctrine of "Separation between Church and State" in the First Amendment, they voted to ask President George Washington to proclaim a "National Day of Prayer" to thank God for the establishment of our government and for His blessings. On October 3, 1789, Washington issued the following: "Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the People of these United States ... That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks ... for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one

now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed..." The problem with the Somerville principal's reasoning for banning Thanksgiving is that by claiming political correctness and sensitivity, one could easily forfeit nearly every holiday and celebration in America: The 4th of July could be condemned because the Declaration of Independence didn't go far enough since it did not eradicate slavery; Veterans Day because of innocents unintentionally becoming casualties of war. Where does the PC madness stop? Instead of allowing our flaws to drive what we think about ourselves, how about celebrating what makes America great? Like the timehonored and entirely appropriate celebration and tradition of Thanksgiving! Kenyn Cureton is vice president for church ministries at the Family Research Council.

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Page 12 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/18/11 -11/24/11

A Letter to Our Loyal Readers Four years ago on November 22, 2007 the first edition of The Roanoke Star-Sentinel landed on the doorstep of 65,000 homes in the Roanoke Valley with the mission of redefining "news" in our community. In lieu of the daily litany of traffic accidents, house fires and drug busts we sought to publish what was "right and real and genuine" about life in Roanoke - the "positive people, places and events that truly make us who we are." If you have kept up with us these past four years you've seen strong coverage of just that - including almost every non-profit in the valley and the dedicated work they do for others. You've also seen coverage of both the "sung" and "unsung" heroes whose efforts make the real difference in our community - the George Kegleys - The Rita Bishops - The Helen Davis's - there are so many. You've also seen coverage of local politics, arts, sports,

business and "Roanoke life" and received a whole new appreciation for what is happening "out there" in our Valley. When asked recently if I thought we were accomplishing our original mission I was able to give a resounding "yes" and Roanokers seem to agree. We receive a steady flow of praise and appreciation by mail, email and phone and are blessed to be able to say that, "If love paid the bills, we could all retire early!" But while this newspaper continues to make a profit, it is only able to do so by paying everyone involved, from publisher to delivery person, less than what they would expect to earn in similar positions elsewhere. This is, of course, something many start-up companies must face and we are committed to doing what it takes to keep this "public trust" going, but we would be remiss if we didn't ask our readers for their immediate and intentional support.

- Subscribe and recommend that others do the same. For less than $5 a month ($55 per year) you can have this positive weekly publication delivered to your door. Your subscription support is very important as we go forward. (See ad below detailing how to easily subscribe!) - If you believe in what we’re doing, share your perspective. If a fitting moment presents itself, let others know about the unique perspective that our writers and columnists bring to this community. Whether from a podium or at a social gathering, a shared word about what you enjoy about this paper goes a very long way. - Most Importantly: Let advertisers know that you respond to the ads that you see here each week and if you are part of a company that advertises locally, remind your marketing staff that with our significantly lower overhead we reach over 68,000 readers

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a week for less than half the cost of other media. Without consistent advertisers we could not produce your hometown community newspaper and website. Our Rate Card can be found online at NewsRoanoke. com. So maybe this article is just a "sales letter" in the end. My Dad once told me that just about everything in life involved "sales." We are always trying to convince others that something should be done in a certain way and that (hopefully) we have their best interest at heart with our ideas, and I suppose that's true. I know one thing for certain - life is short and the endeavors we choose to support and maintain both personally and professionally will make all the difference in the world we one day leave behind. Thank you for considering these requests. I am available anytime to discuss opportunities for articles and coverage as well as any advertising questions you may have. We have some of the most creative and positively joyful minds in the business ready to serve you and would love the opportunity to do so. - Stuart Revercomb, Publisher Stuart@NewsRoanoke.com Direct: 540-330-7335

NewsRoanoke.com

50,000 Munchkin Donuts Donated to Rescue Mission

Dunkin’ Donuts donated 50,000 munchkin donuts to the Rescue Mission this week. “It was a special order that was canceled at the last minute. They called and asked if we would like to have them,” said Charity King, Food Service Manager. “We are coming up with fun recipes and different ways to serve the donuts for dessert. We served donut bread pudding for dinner last night and today will make yogurt parfaits. We will also be making donut brownies and cake balls and grilled donuts with ice cream.” “Whether it’s the people we serve, old buildings or property, or food, we love to turn “what could have been bad” into “good news” at the Rescue Mission,” said CEO, Joy Sylvester-Johnson. “We are all about giving new purpose to things that others might think of as disposable.” The Rescue Mission will serve 350,000 meals this year and rely on food donations to help meet this need. “We appreciate and use everything from a grocery bag of garden vegetables to 50,000 donut holes. No donation is too small or too large,” said King. “Because of the generosity of those in our community, our average cost per meal is only about 20 cents.”

Annual Grandin Village Holiday Parade November 19th

The Grandin Village Business Association is sponsoring the Annual Grandin Village Holiday Children’s Parade, Saturday November 19th at 11:00 am. The parade starts at Christ Lutheran Church (2011 Brandon Ave) on the corner of Grandin Road & Brandon Avenue and proceeds through Historic Grandin Village, ending at Mick or Mack (1312 Winborne St.). Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year, this is a neighborhood favorite and includes Santa on a Fire Engine and much more. No registration is required to participate and children of all ages are welcome. If you’d like to enter a float, come to the parking lot of Christ Lutheran Church between 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. As this is a children’s parade, only small floats will be allowed (wagons, etc). No motorized vehicles, please. Scout groups, dance groups and baton twirlers are encouraged to participate as well. If music is needed for this type of group, then a motorized vehicle will be allowed for that purpose. Boy Scout Troop 8 will be collecting canned goods for charity so please bring a donation. For more information, contact Susan Stump at (540) 777-1790 or visit grandinvillage.org

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Sports

11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 13

Hidden Valley Opens Region IV Division 4 Playoffs with 24-10 Win Hidden Valley used a relentless running attack to capture the Region IV Division 4 football playoff opener, as the Titans defeated Bassett 24-10 last Friday night at Dwight Bogle Stadium. Hidden Valley improved to 7-4, and advances to play at Christiansburg this Friday night. The Titans were content to control the ball on the ground on a night when the temperatures stayed in the upper 30s throughout the game. Hidden Valley took the lead on its first possession when junior Jake Kite hauled in a 2-yard pass from Michael Simonic for a 7-0 Titan advantage. Bassett closed the first half scoring on a Zach Atwood 30-yard field goal that sent the teams to the break at 7-3. Walker Brand put Hidden Valley up 14-3 on a 5-yard run in the third quarter, before Bengal running back Daniel Martin got Bassett to within 14-10 late in the quarter. The Titans would later tack on a 24-yard Landon Dermott field goal to

go up 17-10. Bassett was driving for a potential game-tying score midway through the fourth when Hidden Valley linebacker Trent Settles intercepted an ill-thrown Bassett toss. Hidden Valley closed the deal when Jimmy Howe scored from one yard out late in the final frame. Brand led the Titan rushing attack, picking up 168 yards on 29 carries and Howe added 47 yards on 9 carries. The Hidden Valley defense limited Bassett to 243 total yards. “We knew Bassett had a couple of explosive playmakers,” Hidden Valley head coach Scott Weaver noted in the Titan locker room afterward. “Our defense made some big plays tonight.” Brand gave credit to the Titan offensive line for his big night. “Our offensive line was awesome. They really opened it up.”

Hidden Valley head coach Scott Weaver (in grey) lays out the plan with his team in the fourth quarter of the Titan's win over Bassett.

Titan running back #2 Mason Dermott picks By Bill Turner up yardage as linemen #54 Devin McDaniel info@newsroanoke.com and #68 Jordan Parke key the blocks.

North Cross Advances to State Final

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Paul Ross and Derek Mason combine for a stop in the second quarter. North Cross held Frericksburg Christian to 105 total rushing yards on the day.

North Cross Coach Stephen Alexander prepares his team for the VISSA State Semi-Final Game against Fredericksburg Christian. The North Cross Raiders traveled to Spotsylvania County last Saturday and burst the bubble of previously undefeated Fredericksburg Christian in the VISAA Division 3 semifinal matchup. Fredericksburg Christian came into the game undefeated having amassed 362 points while opponents only tallied 38 total points against them all season. The first quarter ended with both teams moving the ball consistently between the 20's but the Raiders then exNOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION 11 CV 001836 IN RE: BARBETTE SHERRIE WILLIAMSON , PLAINTIFF VS MARSHALL EDWARD WILLIAMSON, DEFENDANT. TO: Marshall Edward Williamson PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a petition seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The matter of the relief being sought is as follows: DIVORCE. YOU ARE HEREBY REQUIRED to make defense to Such pleadings no later than forty (40) days from the date of the first publication if this Notice, or from the date Complaint is required to be filed, whichever is latter; upon your failure to do so, the party seeking relief against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. THIS IS THE 18th DAY OF NOV, 2011. WILLIAM T. BATCHELOR, II Attorney for Plaintiff 107 Castle Street Wilmington, North Carolina 28401. Telephone: (910) 796-7230 State Bar No.: 13250 (Legal notice published in the Roanoke Star Sentinel. )

ploded with 21 points in the second quarter as Thomas Weaver connected on a pair of touchdown passes to George Revercomb and Evan Anderson scored his first of three rushing touchdowns on the day. North Cross came out in the second half and picked up right where they left off scoring 22 unanswered points as the Eagles started to unravel, losing 2 players to ejection for unsportsmanlike behavior. The fourth quarter showed a patient North Cross team running out the clock and changing personnel in preparation for the finals next weekend. Fredericks-

burg Christian completed a long pass for a touchdown in the closing minutes resulting in a final score of 43-13. North Cross’ Evan Anderson rushed for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns. Quarterback Thomas Weaver was 14-27 for 169 yards and 2 TD passes to George Revercomb, who had 6 catches for 74 yards. The defense held Fredericksburg Christian to 105 yards rushing and 206 yards passing. The Raiders now move on to a rematch of last year’s VISAA D3 State Championship game against powerhouse Norfolk Christian, who boasts five Division 1 recruits with four already committed to UVA. North Cross pulled off the upset win over the Ambassadors during the regular season by a score of 34-27. The game is scheduled to be played in Norfolk on Saturday at 2:00 PM.

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Sports

Page 14 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/18/11 -11/24/11

Send sports pictures, announcements and story ideas to info@newsroanoke.com

Cave Spring Captures Region IV Title Cave Spring, Hidden Valley Advance With 3-0 Win Over Hidden Valley To State Volleyball Final-4 The dominance of Cave Spring and Hidden Valley in Region IV volleyball played out in round-five Saturday afternoon at Salem High School as the Knights dispatched the Titans in three games for the championship. Before Saturday's showdown, Cave Spring had won the two regular season River Ridge meetings along with a preseason match, while Hidden Valley had posted the district tournament win over the Knights last week. Both advanced to the AA state quarterfinals, and the two remain on a collision course to meet in Friday's state championship in Richmond. Cave Spring keyed Saturday's win ( 25-21; 25-23; 27-25) by jumping out to leads midway through each game and holding off Hidden Valley rallies down the stretch. Cave Spring's rapid ball movement and power finishing shots were the difference. "We're moving in the right direction," Knights head coach Tamalyn Tanis noted after

Davidson-bound Morgan Shannon serves for Cave Spring during the Knight's regional championship win Saturday.

Cave Spring and Hidden Valley each won state volleyball quarterfinal matches Tuesday night to advance to the VHSL Group AA tournament Friday night at the Siegel Center at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Cave Spring (27-3) will take on defending state champion Loudoun County (27-1) at 6:30 p.m., with Hidden Valley (23-6) going against Jamestown (26-4) in the following match at 8:30. The winners of those two matches face off at 5:00 p.m. Saturday on the same court for the state title. At Cave Spring Tuesday night, the Knights had little trouble taking down a clearly outmatched E.C. Glass team 25-12; 25-5; 25-21. The Cave Spring game was clicking, with the Knights’ play at the net providing most of the damage. "This was good," Cave Spring head coach Tamalyn Tanis noted after the match. "We came out strong and were focused tonight." The Knights used their power game to rattle the Hilltopper defense all evening. Alyssa McKinley and Morgan Shannon each pound-

the win. "We need to keep our focus and not let teams get back in the game." Davidson-bound Morgan Shannon led the Cave Spring front line with 14 Kills, while co-captain Shannon Craighead posted 34 assists along with 5 kills. Libero Lauren Sledd and Morgan Shannon each anchored the Cave Spring defense with 16 digs. Hidden Valley was led by Caroline Boone's 15 kills, with Jenny Clark adding 5. JMUbound Sarah Patterson set Hidden Valley with 28 assists and Clark displayed her mastery of the back line with 19 digs. "We made good comebacks in games two and three, but we were just too far behind," Hidden Valley head coach Carla Poff noted. "We've got to play better." Hidden Valley hitter #4 Caroline Boone fires one of her 15 kills as Cave Spring's #11 Kelsey Sine defends the net.

ed out nine kills, while junior Erin Holsinger added eight. For Davidson-bound Shannon, the all-time career-leader in kills at Cave Spring, it improved her kill total to exactly 1,400 for the 4-year starter. Senior co-captain Shannon Craighead set the Cave Spring attack all night with 27 assists and Holsinger frustrated Glass with 7 blocks. Holsinger is 1 block short of taking the singleseason record at Cave Spring in that category. In Rustburg, Hidden Valley defeated the Red Devils by a similar 3-0 score, taking the games 27-25; 25-12; 25-22. The Titans were led by Caroline Boone's 15 kills, while JMUbound Sarah Patterson provided 28 assists for the Hidden Valley front line. Should both the Knights and Titans win Friday, it will provide a unique situation with two schools, only 2 miles apart, vying for the coveted state championship.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

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Cave Spring sophomore #13 Olivia Sass serves during the Knight's sweep over E.C. Glass Tuesday night.

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Sports

11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 15

Patriot Comeback Falls Short In Roanoke Catholic Volleyball Team Regional Final Loss To Freedom Wins VISAA Div III State Title The Roanoke Catholic girl's volleyball team won their first state title in more than 40 years on Saturday 11/12 at the Steward School in Richmond. The Celtics defeated Grace Christian by scores of 25-23, 25-6, 23-25, 25-10 to finish the season with a 19-4 record. Mairin Guilfoyle was named VISAA Div III State Tournament MVP and also selected to the Blue Ridge

Conference 1st Team and All State 1st Team. Coach Aaron King was named Blue Ridge Conference Coach of the Year as well as VISAA Div III State Coach of the Year in his first season as head coach of the Celtics. Coach King left Hidden Valley High School this past winter after 6 years of leading the JV volleyball team to take the varsity position at Roanoke Catholic.

Other Celtic players receiving awards were Anne Deer and Ava Perez who were named to the Blue Ridge Conference 1st Team as well as VISAA Div III All State Team. Danielle Dorman received Blue Ridge Conference 1st Team honors and Amie Scott was selected Blue Ridge Conference 2nd Team.

Patrick Henry head coach Patti Sheedy rallies her team as PH comes back from a 2-0 deficit to send the match to a 15-point tiebreaker. First Patrick Henry got itself into a 2-0 hole, then fought back to win the next

volleyball final against Freedom Saturday evening at the PH gym. Freedom recovered in game five for the 25-22; 2520; 10-25; 14-25; 15-9 win in front of a packed Patriot crowd. Both teams advanced to the state quarterfinals, with Patrick Henry having to go on the road to face the Eastern Region champion. Saturday's match saw Freedom easily take the first two game before PH regrouped to totally dominate the Eagles in games three and four. The deciding 15-point tiebreaker was even at 8 before Patriot #11 Sarah Miller Freedom rallied to outscore readies to serve against Front Row from left to right: Ashley Deer, Anna Barrera, Ava Perez, Maria Barrera, Anne Deer. Freedom. PH 7-1 down the stretch. Back Row from left to right: Coach Maria Rushbrooke, Coach Erika Hoffman, Sarah Fraze, AlexSarah Miller led the Patrick andra Arnold, Amie Scott, Danielle Dorman, Allison George, Mairin Guilfoyle, Coach Aaron King. Henry power attack with 19 Libero Morgan Robison kills, while Caroline Brailsford added 11 kills and set held down the Patrick Henry the Patriots at the net with 32 back line bringing 17 digs off assists. Cathy Ren took ad- the hardwood. vantage of the PH sets with By Bill Turner 8 kills and Elizabeth Higgs info@newsroanoke.com pounded out 7.

Freedom 6'2" hitter Kaitlyn Lamantia skies for a shot as PH #13 Page Pest and #10 Elizabeth Higgs defend. 2 games but then the Patriots fell just short in the last game in the Northwest Regional

Hidden Valley's Sarah Patterson Signs Volleyball Scholarship To Play With JMU Hidden Valley High School volleyball standout Sarah Patterson signed a letter of intent to play for JMU at a ceremony in the Hidden Valley library last Wednesday afternoon. Patterson will join a pair of former Florida teammates in the Duke’s volleyball program. The Titan 6’1” setter has played a key role in Hidden Valley’s run to the state AA final-four during the last two years since moving to Roanoke from the Tampa, FL area. Sarah is the daughter of Jennifer and Tom Patterson. By Bill Turner Hidden Valley’s Sarah Patterson, flanked by parents Tom and info@newsroanoke.com Jennifer Patterson, during the JMU signing Wednesday.

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Page 16 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/18/11 -11/24/11

Sports

Cave Spring Swimmer Signs Letter Of Intent With Auburn

Cave Spring swimmer Jacob Siar signed a scholarship letter of intent to swim for the Auburn Tigers in a ceremony Thursday afternoon in the school auditorium. Siar, whose specialty is the backstroke, joins an Auburn team that has fifteen consecutive SEC swimming titles and numerous NCAA swimming national championships. Jabob is the son of Linda and Jack Siar.

By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com

L-R- mom Linda Siar, Jacob, sister Rebecca and dad Jack Siar

Knight's Jackie Crawford Inks Scholarship With James Madison Cave Spring swimmer Jackie Crawford signed a letter of intent with James Madison University Thursday afternoon in Cave Spring’s auditorium. Jackie, a member of the CCA Marlins, chose JMU over William and Mary and Virginia Tech in accepting her scholarship with the Dukes. Jackie is the daughter of Danielle and Steve Crawford. By Bill Turner info@newsroanoke.com Knight’s swimmer Jackie Crawford, flanked by parents Danielle and Steve, after Thursday’s signing..

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Well, we head into week two player who put on the uniform is of the regional playoffs with five hereby officially named to Wild local teams still in the hunt. Not Bill’s Roanoke Star-Sentinel surprisingly, three of those five, First-Team All-Star Squad. Why Cave Spring-Hidden waste your time with Valley-Salem, come honorable mentions? from the River Ridge. Enough trophy preNorthside is the sole sentations; let’s take a unbeaten squad at 10-0, look at this week’s five while North Cross, win games. or lose, ends its successHidden Valley at ful 2011 campaign in the Christiansburg: The VIS Division III final Titans have the savvy to Saturday. make this one close. Bill Turner It’s been another It’s a rematch from great year for the preweek-8 that saw the diction docket, so let’s take a look Blue Demons win 31-6 on the back at the highlights from 2011 same field. Christiansburg may in ascending order. have too many horses to be #4) Seven-of-twelve weeks stopped this soon. Christianssaw the slate end up with only burg- 28 Hidden Valley- 16 one miss-think that’s easy? Give Robert E. Lee at Northside: it a shot; you won’t have to tell The Leemen snuck by Fort Deanyone how it went. finance 13-11 last Friday while #3) The pick of the year in Northside relaxed with a cruise week 10. You saw it here. Cave aboard the Viking armada. R.E Spring picked to beat Chris- .Lee will wish they had headed to tiansburg who was undefeated the high seas by the time this one and the #1 Group AA team in is over. Northside-45 Robert E. the state at the time. Winning Lee-6 Knight’s quarterback Tony SimMartinsville at Cave Spring: mons summed it up best mo- A rematch from week two when ments after Cave Spring took the Cave Spring hung 50 points on final knee in the victory forma- the Bulldogs in Martinsville. tion: “This is ridiculous! Amaz- Much closer this time, but with ing!” I then got a high-five from Sam Wright carrying the ball, it Simmons and Knight coach Tim will look like a pack of bulldogs Fulton after dropping my Ouija chasing a car. Cave Spring- 34 board at the forty yard line. Martinsville- 28 #2) The perfect 11-0 record in Salem at Magna Vista: Saweek 8. The only week of the sea- lem has been on a roll, but two son where all eleven local teams straight wins over Pulaski Counplayed someone from out of the ty won’t scare Magna Vista. The area. Admittedly, I resorted to a Warriors are 10-0 for a reason seance that week due to the over- and are capable of winning the whelming numbers. region this year. Magna Vista- 28 #1) All the players, coaches Salem-17 and cheerleaders who make North Cross at Norfolk the season great with their hard Christian: A rematch of North work. Once again, in 2011, every Cross’ week two win 34-27 at

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North Cross. The talk then was Norfolk Christian lost because of injuries. They better be looking for another reason Saturday. North Cross is peaking and a Division III championship may be in the cards. North Cross- 35 Norfolk Christian-31 On to the mailbag, where a look at guessing weights has a reader intrigued. Dear Wild Bill- I saw where you predicted the correct weight in the Great Pumpkin contest held at The Roanoker Restaurant. Was this a guess or prediction? (MaryFlorine /Roanoke) Answer: Prediction. Based totally on vegetable threshold dynamics. You apply volume geometry to any fruit or vegetable in a spherical or cylindrical shape. In the case of the pumpkin, a sphere, 4/3 times the radius (8 in.) cubed, times pi (3.14) Take this answer and convert to the weight of one cubic inch of inside pumpkin slime adjusted with the average 1 inch outer rind. In this case, it was, as predicted for a $10 gift certificate, 87 pounds. Cucumbers and grapefruits are likewise easy. All bets off on an eggplant, however. Dear Great Seer: In your estimation, who is the most famous predictor in history? (Eileen/Altavista) Answer: Many would say Jeane Dixon. But, I’ll go with Steve Martin, as Navin R. Johnson, in the movie “The Jerk.” Predicting weights and ages at a carnival is a tough way to make a living, but at least for Navin, it was a great job. See you soon, and send your inquiries to: info@newsroanoke. com

Raiders Fall in VISAA D 3 Semi-Finals

The North Cross women started out their volleyball season facing an uphill battle. Not only did the reigning 2 time VISAA D 3 team lose four starters, they were also moved up a division based on an increase in the number of female students in the high school– playing many schools that had almost twice the enrollment. The team nevertheless made it the first round of the state tournament

and knocked off Hampton Roads Academy after initially going down 2 games. At the state tournament held at Steward School in Richmond last weekend the Raiders lost to the eventual state champion, Cape Henry Collegiate in the semi-finals. Several players from North Cross won recognition this year:

More Than Just Gelato! Lynsey Barker (#11) hitting away from Cape Henry's 6'3" Karen Campbell (D 3 Player of the Year) while Piper Roe (front) and Alexandra Martin (back) prepare in case of a block.

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Transportation Museum’s 1776 Locomotive Awarded Top Honors The Virginia Museum of Transportation has announced that its Norfolk & Western SD45 Diesel Locomotive #1776 was awarded two important honors in the Museum’s quest to cosmetically restore the Locomotive to her original red-whiteand-blue glory. The Museum was awarded the prestigious Trains Magazine Preservation Award at the Association of Railway Museums and Tourist Railway Association’s annual celebration in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on November 12. The grant gives the Museum $10,000 toward the preservation and cosmetic restoration of the 1776 Locomotive. Trains Magazine chose the 1776 Locomotive from 120 submissions from all over the United States. The 1776 Locomotive was also a People’s Choice award in the Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts competition sponsored by the Virginia Association of Museums and the Virginia Collections Institute. In the public voting portion of the competition, almost 20,000 votes were cast for the Locomotive – the second highest in the competition. The People’s Choice award was announced on November 2 and brings with it important tools and publicity to help the Museum reach its fundraising goals. “We are honored to receive these two important awards,” says Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation. “The 1776 Locomotive is an American rail icon,” says Beverly T. Fitzpatrick. “It’s a vital and beloved piece of our collection and we are excited about cosmetically restoring her to her original glory.” The locomotive’s last restoration occurred more than a decade ago, and the colors have since faded. The Museum originally set a goal of $10,000 to bring back the engine’s true colors by July 4, 2012. The amount needed to cosmetically restore the Locomotive was reassessed to $20,000 for superior paint and finish and to replace missing parts. The Trains Magazine Preservation Award puts the Museum within reach of this ambitious goal.

The Norfolk and Western Locomotive 1776 pre-restoration. Fitzpatrick says that the until after 1991 when NorMuseum does not receive folk Southern Corporation any state funding, so funding donated the 1776 Locomofor restoration comes from tive to the Virginia Museum friends of the Museum and of Transportation that it was rail fans across the country. once again painted in its pa“We have completed the cos- triotic red, white and blue. metic restoration of several The 1776 Locomotive was pieces of rail stock in the past built in 1970 by the General year,” Fitzpatrick says. “It’s Motors Electro-Motive Ditime for the 1776 Locomotive vision, one of 115 of its type to once again symbolize the purchased by the N&W. The freedom of our nation.” 1776 Locomotive was retired In 1974, the Norfolk & from service on Leap Day in Western (N&W) SD45 diesel February 1988. locomotive 1776 received its The Museum needs addistinctive Bicentennial paint ditional funds to make the scheme in honor of the 200th 1776 Locomotive’s cosmetic Anniversary of the Declara- restoration a reality. Friends tion of Independence in 1976. of the 1776 Locomotive can From 1974 through 1978, the donate funds toward the resengine proudly pulled trains toration by visiting vmt.org across the extensive N&W and clicking on the “Save the system. N&W 1776” button. They The cab of the locomo- can also call the Museum at tive featured an eye-catching 540.342.5670 or mail their circle of thirteen stars on a contribution to the Museum blue field representing the at 303 Norfolk Avenue SW, original thirteen colonies that Roanoke, VA 24016. Dodeclared their independence nors of $100 or more receive from England in 1776. Strik- an exclusive drawing of the ing red and white stripes ran 1776 Locomotive by Andy the length of the locomotive. Fletcher, the Museum’s artistIn 1978, the engine was re- in-residence. painted N&W black. It wasn’t

Storm Chasers Inspire New Major

Sometimes learning happens on the road—literally. That’s the case for the Hokie Storm Chaser class. The class, "Geography 3524", entails a monthlong adventure in the specially equipped van while students and teacher travel throughout the Great Plains looking for potentially deadly weather. The van contains cutting-edge technology so that instructor Dave Carroll and the students can monitor weather satellite updates to predict when and where the next storm will hit. During the Nov. 12 University-Wide Open House visitors had an opportunity to tour the storm-chasing vehicle and hear College of Natural Resources and Environment faculty and students recount their experiences. The adventurers also answered questions about meteorology. The class admissions application website warns, “Only those with a true passion for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes should apply.” “On most chase trips, we typically experience intense moments,” according to information about the class journeys. “You need to be prepared for this scenario, should it unfold.” But the Two students from the Virginia Tech geogstorm enthusiasts can go days without encounraphy class known as Hokie Storm Chasers tering a storm, said Carroll. When a big weather watch a fierce storm gather over the Great event occurs, students must leap into action, Plains of the Midwest. tracking the storm, and giving Carroll driving the weather,” said storm chase leader Carroll. directions. Students will learn to predict severe weather The popularity of the Hokie Storm Chasers through education and meteorology, and assess class has, in part, led to the creation of a new unthe impact of weather, such as flooding, soil loss, dergraduate major on weather forecasting that and avalanche danger, on landscapes and the huwill begin in spring 2012. “This will be the first man environment using geospatial science. This Bachelor of Science degree program in meteorolrelatively new research area is expertise sought ogy available in the Commonwealth,” said Deby the National Weather Service, said Carstenspartment of Geography head Bill Carstensen. “It en. The skills taught in the program will prepare is certainly timely, (as) weather extremes (bring) graduates for jobs with federal and state agenmuch hardship to many people in America and cies. around the world,” he said. The new innovative degree program will inVisit the Hokie Storm Chasers blog at: hokcorporate more geospatial information technoliestormchase.wordpress.com ogy than programs offered at other institutions, according to Carstensen. Instead of focusing on atmospheric patterns, Virginia Tech’s major also will include geographic information systems analysis, allowing students to consider how landforms affect weather patterns. “We know the surface of the earth influences what’s going on in the atmosphere, but it is very difficult to model that input and figure out how it might impact 4341 Starkey Road • 540-774-0171

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11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 18

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Electronic Health Records Save VT Carilion School of Medicine to Money But Pose Privacy Risks Host Health Career Presentations Electronic health records can potentially save billions of dollars in health care costs and increase patient safety, but have considerable risks to individual privacy in the United States, more so than the European Union, says a new study co-authored by VA Tech Pamplin College of Business professor Janine Hiller. "EU countries have adopted electronic health records and systems, or EHRs, and legally protected privacy at the same time," Hiller says. EHRs include a wide range of patient medical information collected in digital format and accessible via computer, most often over a network. Strengthening the legal and technical safeguards, she says, would significantly minimize the privacy and security risks and address public concerns in the U.S. about EHRs. Her study examines their benefits and drawbacks, the adequacy of U.S. laws to meet the challenges posed by the privacy risks and concerns, and compares the EU's legal approach to EHRs. The U.S. legal framework for health care privacy, she says, is "a hodgepodge of constitutional, statutory, and regulatory law at the federal and state levels." Hiller and her co-authors believe that though federal efforts to protect privacy seem to be a step up from inconsistent state laws, Americans currently still "have no real control over the collection of sensitive medical information if they want to be treated," in contrast to the choice accorded to EU residents. Their study, Hiller says, makes it clear that the privacy issue should be central to any discussion of EHR implementation in the U.S. and the technical and policy framework that guides it. Her recent research in Sweden, she says, showed her "that the legal and technical frameworks cannot stand alone; that they should be developed hand in hand in order to design systems that will effectively protect patient privacy." Until then, she says, "public confidence and trust in EHRs is unlikely."

Partnership for a Livable Roanoke Valley Officially Formed The Steering Committee of the Partnership for a Livable Roanoke Valley held it's kickoff meeting on November 15th at Roanoke College. This Committee is composed of represen-

tatives of local governments, nonprofits, regional entities, and educational institutions from throughout the Roanoke Valley. Livable Roanoke Valley is a partnership of these organi-

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A career in health care is within reach. That is the message the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine hopes to impart to high school and college students who may -or, more significantly, may not -- be considering a career in health care. The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Jefferson College of Health Sciences are teaming up to host "Within Reach," a program of health career presentations on Nov. 22 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Local high school and college students are encouraged to attend with their families, as well as high school guidance counselors, teachers, and administrators. Representatives from both schools will give short presentations on a range of health career fields, the education required to achieve those careers, and the steps students can take in high school and college to facilitate entrance into the relevant academic programs. Dr. David Trinkle, associate dean for community and culture at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, said he hopes a diverse audience will attend. "We believe that many students who are already interested in medicine as a career will attend," he said. "'Within Reach' will be a great opportunity for them to make sure they're taking the right steps to get to their goal. But we also want to encourage the attendance of those who haven't thought about health care before or who may think it's out of their reach. We hope to make an impact on those students especially." Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine representatives will discuss the

Associate Dean for Community and Culture Dr. David Trinkle. school's medical degree program, including the four-year curriculum, the admission requirements, and the steps students can take to increase their likelihood of acceptance. "The medical school admissions process is very competitive, but that shouldn't deter high school and college students from pursuing it," said Stephen Workman, associate dean for admissions and administration at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. "We want to walk students through the steps of what they can do now and in the next few years to lay out a plan to increase their likelihood of acceptance into medical school and for later success in the field." In addition, representatives from Jefferson College of Health Sciences (JCHS), which has a partnership with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, will introduce the school's degrees, which range from associate's degrees to master's degrees. "There are a variety of options for students based on their interests and the time they can allot to school before entering the workforce," said Judith McKeon, director of admissions for JCHS. "As an added bonus, many of the career options that stem from

our academic tracks are in high demand, increasing the opportunity for employment after graduation." JCHS offers three two-year associate's degree programs in occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant, and respiratory therapy. For bachelor's degree programs, students can specialize in biomedical sciences, emergency services, health and exercise science, healthcare management, health psychology, nursing, and respiratory therapy. Finally, JCHS offers master's degree programs in nursing, occupational therapy, and physician assistant. "Our goal is to show students that a career in medicine is a real choice," Trinkle said. "They can learn the steps, create a plan, and even gain some mentors in the process." The presentations from each school will take place in the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine auditorium. Audience members will have an opportunity to pose questions to both presenters and current students. Virginia Tech Carilion is located in the new biomedical health sciences campus in Roanoke at 2 Riverside Circle. To learn more visit: www. vtc.vt.edu.

Picture yourself in a health care career. We will show you how to bring it within reach. Tuesday, November 22, 2011 Presentations and Q&A from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine 2 Riverside Circle, Roanoke Questions? Email communications@jchs.edu Programs to be discussed range from two-year associate’s degrees to a medical doctorate to help you find the right fit! Use your smart phone to scan and read more!

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Remove eight (8) Zeros from federal data above as a household budget summary: Annual Household Income $22,980 60% of expenditures Family Expenditures $38,188 166% of income New Debt including Credit Cards $16,000 70% of income Outstanding Household Debt $149,892 652% of annual income Family Budget Cuts $380 .25% (1/4%) of debt

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Page 19 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/18/11 -11/24/11

Children and Wealth: Important Lessons Start Early in Life

Wealth can be a mixed blessing -- one that creates great opportunity as well as weighty responsibility -- especially for children. As a parent, grandparent, or concerned relative, you hope to pass on what you have learned about managing and preserving wealth to the younger generation. However, you want the family legacy to be about more than astute money management; you want it to reflect your personal values, which may include a social conscience and philanthropic ideals. How do you combine financial knowledge and charitable intent in your wealth management lessons? Following are some thoughts for your consideration. Shared Concerns Multi-billionaires Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have vowed to leave the majority of their fortunes to charity, reasoning that a large inheritance would do their children more harm than good. Wealthy families across America face similar concerns. To counter these and other potentially negative effects of wealth, many parents are committed to educating children about finances from an early age. Studies show that marketers start targeting children as early as age two. So the sooner you start talking about money, the better. Explain the meaning and purpose of employment, the importance of managing credit and paying bills, and the best way to handle cash through banks and ATMs. Let children practice what they have learned about earning, saving, spending, and giving money through their own experiences with allowances and afterschool jobs. As a child matures, his or her financial education should become more rigorous. Learning how to balance a checkbook, create a budget, respect the role of credit and debt, and develop strategies for funding important goals such as a college education helps teens make the important transition from child to adult. While parents generally are competent educators about financial matters and can serve as a child's most important role models, they could use some support. In that regard, schools need to be proactive in teaching, motivating, and creating a greater awareness of both the benefits of money management and the short- and long-term impact of poor financial decisions. Many high school graduates are unable to balance a checkbook and lack the basic financial survival skills involved with earning, saving, and investing money. Parents should urge schools to incorporate personal finance topics into their core curriculum or to offer personal finance

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Native Roanoker Returns For Less Hectic Life

Approximately ten years ago, Chris R. Turnbull lived in Roanoke as an employee of John Lambert Associates, then moved to the Caribbean so his wife could attend veterinary school there. They lived there for several years, then Chris spent roughly seven years with the World Bank in Washington. All the same, he and his wife Carrie, yearned to return to Roanoke. The catalyst that finally caused the change came one evening this past January when a snow storm forced Turnbull to take eight hours to reach his home - 10 miles away from his job at the World Bank. “I walked into the door and said, ‘this is it. We’re not doing this any more!’” Carrie, a native Roanoker, seconded her husband’s decision: “OK,” she said. “Let’s see what we can do.” From there, Chris Turnbull began investigating job opportunities in Roanoke. His search brought him to Thomas Becher of The Becher Agency – also known as tba - in downtown Roanoke. If you’d like to learn more, please contact Cindy “At the time, Thomas didn’t Shively at 540-983-4912 or toll free at 877-449-4449 really have anything availor visit us at http://fa.smithbarney.com/meridian- able,” Turnbull says. “But we kept talking and over the groupsb/ Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan course of five or six months, Stanley Smith Barney Financial Advisors do not provide tax or sort of worked out this polegal advice. This material was not intended or written to be used for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be im- sition.” The Turnbulls purposed on the taxpayer. Clients should consult their tax advisor chased a home in Roanoke— for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attor- after which Carrie moved ney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other into in July, then her huslegal matters band relocated here in AuThe opinions expressed by the authors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of MSSB. The information gust, commuting back and and data in the article or publication has been obtained from forth to Washington before sources outside of MSSB and MSSB makes no representations beginning his present job or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of information at The Becher Agency just or data from sources outside of MSSB. Neither the information provided nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation by weeks ago. as a stand-alone "required" life skills course. Set a Charitable Example If we want to ensure future generations of volunteers and donors, we must teach our children how to give of their time, skills, and money. Adult family members can set an example by pursuing their own philanthropic and volunteer activities, or by encouraging the whole family to get involved in charitable activities based around a shared interest, such as the outdoors, sports, or religion. Ensure Your Legacy Through Incentive Planning Wealth holders often worry that the important values they pass on to heirs during their lifetime will be lost once they are gone. For these individuals, creating testamentary trusts that allow you to reward your children's desired behaviors or discourage undesirable activities can be a meaningful addition to an estate plan. For instance, a trust may offer educational support for heirs who pursue a specific field of study or attend a particular institution. A trust may promote "family values" by providing income support to heirs who choose to stay at home to raise children or who foster or adopt children in need. Alternatively, a trust can withhold benefits from heirs convicted of a crime or who fail conditional drug or alcohol testing. Financial advisors play an important role in the creation and success of a legacy by helping you articulate the values, beliefs and priorities you want to perpetuate and the methods to achieve your goals. Working together, you can offer meaningful relationships that go beyond a financial inheritance.

Chris Turnbull is back in Roanoke. “It was a long time coming, and it was a real thoughtful journey to decide if we wanted to come back,” said Chris. “But Roanoke didn’t really have to sell itself to us. We knew we wanted to be here.” Becher also said recently that Turnbull was a prime example of the type of young professional Roanoke wants to attract. Turnbull characterizes his new position at The Becher Agency as “a strategic public relations advisory position for our clients. My background is in crisis communications [and] crisis management. That’s one element of what I offer to clients here.” Turnbull defines crisis management as “not necessarily telling a client or an individual or organization how to respond to the crisis” but “rather giving them a framework so they can respond more effectively”— what he calls “putting some order to a very chaotic situation. There’s a framework that I would help them with, to define the perimeters of the crisis and work through it in a very thoughtful way

so that they can address the issues and move on beyond it—and, in the end, hopefully become an even stronger organization.” During his career, Turnbull has traveled to approximately 50 nations, confronting coup attempts, bombings, shootings, riots, and civil disturbances—all of which has helped refine his ability to communicate in critical situations. But, he adds, crisis communications can also extend to less earthshaking events: a competitor trying to move in, making a company stronger, accidents in plants and factories, something stated that injures another’s reputation or offends a group of people. “Crisis communications is not glossing over something that’s been done,” he explains, “it has to be a well-coordinated, thoughtful response from the company.” In his brief time back in Roanoke, Turnbull has yet to deal with any major crises here—which, compared to his prior high-voltage experiences, is just fine with him. But he’s quick to add that the skills acquired in such events also apply to regular business, “in kind of a strategic look at how businesses do their work, and, really for me, as much as I like that adrenalin pump, I’m also really thrilled to be able to put my daughter to sleep every night and see my wife on a regular basis. That is one big, big reason why we came back.” By Melvin E. Matthews, Jr. info@newsroanoke.com

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Arts & Culture

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“Duck And Cover” Examines Nuclear Legacy In The Media

Meticulously researched, as were his previous two books, Star-Sentinel contributing writer Melvin E. Matthews Jr. has returned with another tale of true paranoia and propaganda: Duck and Cover: Civil Defense Images in Film and Television from the Cold War to 9/11. On the cover is the friendly image of Bert the Turtle, from a 1951 Civil Defense film Duck and Cover that told schoolchildren to get low and cover-up when they saw the flash of an atom or hydrogen bomb. This was at the onset of the Cold War with the Soviet Union, when some were sure – or wanted others to believe – that nuclear attack from the communist Soviet regime was imminent. A decade later, during the Berlin blockade crisis when the U.S. faced off against the Soviets and East Germans, President John F. Kennedy was telling people to build fallout shelters. Ironically, a Twilight Zone episode later that same year that showed people fighting over who would gain access to such a shelter highlighted the folly of such an idea to many, and the popularity or practicality of having one in the back yard soon waned. Duck and Cover chronicles the role that television and film had in supporting the message that nuclear attacks could be survived, despite the evidence that indeed that would not be the case in many circumstances. Rationalizing that an atomic attack was survivable would make it easier

Duck and Cover was just released by McFarland Publishing. to garner support for such a program, said Matthews, who most recently wrote Fear Itself: Horror on Screen and in Reality During the Depression and World War II. Matthews covers everything up through the Reagan era, when the anti-nuke film The Day After portrayed the stark reality of a nuclear attack aftermath, to 9/11 and what has followed during the War on Terror. But it’s the Civil Defense programs mounted in the ‘50’s, at schools, churches, town meetings and via the media to portray Duck and Cover as a viable means of survival that are the most riveting aspects of his book. “I’ve always been intrigued by the ‘50’s,” said Mathews, “because they were so different than the ‘60’s just a short time later.” The fear of Communist subversives in the U.S. government made some sure

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that an atom or hydrogen bomb attack was imminent. “Everyone was expecting that to happen,” said Matthews. Matthews does examine the films that portrayed the harmful effects of radiation – at least Hollywood style – like giant, mutated praying mantises that grew after exposure. One low budget film portrays a direct hit on New York City – many movies of that era dealt with the threat of nuclear attack but did not actually show one happening on American soil. Matthews remembers one young classmate becoming hysterical during a duck and cover exercise at Garden City Elementary School in the early ‘60’s. “He thought a bomb was going to fall on his school and he didn’t want to stay there.” Matthews recalls repeated tests of the emergency broadcast system on the radio, which would spread the news in case of a nuclear attack: “I got so frightened I ran screaming to my mother,” he remembers fifty years later. “Duck and Cover: Civil Defense Images in Film and Television from the Cold War to 9/11” is available from online booksellers and at Mcfarlandpub.com. Matthews will appear at a release party for his book at the Shenandoah Club on Franklin Road in downtown Roanoke, on November 29 at 5:30pm.

Texas Tavern Unveils New Painting

Matt Bullington, of the Texas Tavern, and popular local artist Eric Fitzpatrick, pose with Fitzpatrick's latest painting of the famous Texas Tavern. This is the fifth in a series of paintings of the TT (as it is known by loyal patrons). Each of the previous works was a limited edition of 500 printings and all were sellouts. Fitzpatrick has done a variety of buildings and landscapes in and around the Roanoke Valley and all are very popular with the Fitzpatrick loyalist, especially his paintings of the downtown area. He calls paintings such as the one pictured, "Whimsical Realism", as they are accurate portryals of objects with a hint of humor blended in. The first painting of the Texas Tavern was in 1979 and those prints sold for $15.00 each. A few years ago one of those prints was offered for sale in a local gallery for $250.00. He plans to do more Texas Tavern paintings in the future as different ideas come to him. Fitzpatrick is also well know

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for his fine art paintings. He studied for five summers in Italy as a student, and then in 2007 was asked by the University of Georgia to return to Cortona, Italy, as a visiting professor to teach students some of what he had learned through his experience painting in the area. Fitzpatrick said they would leave the school in the morning and walk around the city until they spotted something they wanted

of Natural Resources – better known in some circles as “Dr. Dendro” – was the instructor. By the time the field trip was over, the group had recorded various species of oaks (white, red, scarlet and black), hickories (pignut, mockernut, bitternut and shagbark), yellow poplar, pines (white, pitch, Virginia and table mountain), specked alder, eastern hemlock, sourwood, black birch, American beech, and maples (sugar, red and striped). Virginia Master Naturalists are volunteer educators, citizen scientists, and stewards helping the Commonwealth conserve and manage natural resources and public lands. Sponsoring organizations include the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the

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Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Participants undertake 40 hours of basic classroom and field training, supplemented by volunteer activities and additional training in order to achieve certification. The Roanoke Valley Chapter enrolled its first class in spring of 2010, and a second class in spring of this year. The Pandapas Pond trip was organized as an advanced training opportunity for these members.

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to paint, and then spend the entire day at that one location. His art can be seen at various galleries around the Roanoke Valley and the Texas Tavern artwork is available at the Texas Tavern.

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11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 21

Serving Thanksgiving Wine for a Variety of Tastes Turkey Day is notoriously terrifying for the at-home sommelier. Suppose you're into food and wine. Should you flaunt your connoisseurship and create precise pairings to wow the palate? Absolutely not. The cousin who only drinks Budweiser will get annoyed, and everyone else will think you're a snob. Suppose wine is intimidating. Should you just stock up on Two Buck Chuck and call it a day? Again, the answer is no. That'd be a copout, as there are plenty of wines with character that don't break the bank. Just stick to this handful of guideposts. It's actually quite easy to create a memorable meal with wines that everyone will enjoy. For starters, remember that Thanksgiving is an American holiday. So when you head to the store, embrace your patriotism and pick up domestic wine. And don't hesitate to buy local. The Pilgrims didn't import their turkey from a faraway land, so try to pick up at least one bottle that was produced within driving distance of your house. All 50 states now produce wine, and the Drink Local Wine movement is taking off. Second, as San Francisco wine writer Jon Bonne has advised, "devise a roster of one sparkling wine, one white, and one red." Anything beyond three wines creates needless confusion. If you're hosting Thanksgiving, you'll have enough to worry about without guests asking which red matches the stuffing, or which white goes better with the sweet potatoes. So keep it simple. You'll also want to make sure you select wines with power and finesse. This is easier than it sounds. A simple Pinot Grigio, for example, isn't a powerful wine - so won't stand up to mashed potatoes and gravy. Equally important, an in-your-face Cabernet Sauvignon lacks finesse, so will

A variety of properly served wine make a meal complete. smother your food. Look for refreshing wines with body. For the sparkler, this means avoiding bottles that are too sweet -- look for "brut" or "extra brut" on the label. Old standbys like Domaine Chandon and Korbel are better than ever before, and there are some exciting sparklers coming from states like New Mexico (Gruet), Missouri (Les Bourgeois), and North Carolina (Biltmore). If you're in the mood to splurge, America's top sparkling wines easily rival French Champagne -- look for Roederer or Argyle. Every gathering should begin with a toast, of course, but sparkling wine goes with just about everything - so keep the sparkler on your table all evening.

Roanoke Recognized As Top Ten Digital City

Roanoke has been named among the nation’s Top Ten Digital Cities in a survey involving hundreds of governments across the country since 2001. This year Roanoke ranked eighth in the survey, which measures a community’s use of computer technology on dozens of measures. The survey is entering its 11th year and is becoming increasingly popular as governments are digitizing operations in ways that go far beyond replacing metal filing cabinets with computer databases, according to Todd Sander, director of Digital Communities, the organization that conducts the annual survey. “The highest-ranking cities in the survey showed great strides in consolidating and enabling shared services, government transparency and communications interoper-

ability,” he said. “We applaud these innovators as they work in the spirit of collaboration to provide extraordinary value to constituents despite budget setbacks.” Roanoke has been named to the nation’s Top Ten every year since the survey began, only the second community to have done so throughout the four categories surveyed based on city-size. Roanoke is measured in the category of cities 75,000 – 124,999 in population. In past years the city’s performance has been a stand out in the survey results receiving six first-place rankings. Such consistent placement among the Top Ten is quite an accomplishment in the rapidly evolving world of government technology, according to Kimberly Samuelson the government marketing director for Laserfiche ECM,

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For the white wine, remember to look for body. Bold Chardonnays work well with turkey and can cut through just about every component of your meal - from sweet flavors like cinnamon to the bitterness of green vegetables. California is still on top, but look for wines with specific Viticultural Areas on the label, like Carneros, Monterey County, Russian River Valley, and others. These will generally have a bit more zing than your standard Cali Chard. Riesling -- either dry or slightly sweet -- is also a wonderful wine for Thanksgiving. And you can have some fun with it by selecting a bottle from Michigan, Idaho, Washington, or New York. In Washington, Hogue Cellars and Pacific Rim are making some stunning wines, and just about everything from New York's Finger Lakes would please your guests. With reds, think refreshment. This means avoiding wines with lots of tannin, so steer clear of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec. Pinot Noir is the most popular choice on Thanksgiving, but it's very difficult to find good Pinot for less than $15. That's why Syrah -- ideally from a cool-climate region like Washington or California's coastal regions - is a better bet. Syrah is fruity enough to satisfy the guests who like big reds, and elegant enough to handle the cornucopia of Thanksgiving. There are literally hundreds of choices for less than $15. Finally, and most importantly, have lots of wine on hand. The more wine on the table, the more your family will enjoy the meal! David White, a wine writer, is the founder and editor of Terroirist.com. His columns are housed at Wines.com, the fastest growing wine portal on the Internet.

Laker to Debut at Kirk Avenue

Until 5 months ago Roanoke's most well known grass roots promoter River Laker had never been in a band nor written a song nor played any musical instrument. But after seeing a "Heevahava" show at the Coffeepot in Roanoke, Laker began scheming once again and ala "BegBarrterSteal" and "The Carless Brit" a new social experiment was born: "The Laker Experiment." Within a 6 month period River formed the band, “Laker”, wrote and recorded 10 songs, signed with the label The UNcommonwealth, released an EP, “Approaching Acceptability” and made a music video. Writing songs that could perhaps be best described as "musical Mary Karr mem-

oirs," Laker creates melodies that "bring the body to move in unpredictable ways" and sounds that "span gospel to electronic dance music genres." The lyrical content is said to both surprise and bring unavoidable laughs, while "holding a rare depth, poetic resonance and authentic emotional range." One thing is for certain – Laker reinvents and re-presents the singer/songwriter genre. 50% of all proceeds from

ticket sales will go to Bethany Hall. No photography or recording of any kind will be permitted during the show which carries a parental advisory caution.

Send your pictures, announcements and story ideas to

info@newsroanoke.com

Page 22 | The Roanoke Star-Sentinel | 11/18/11 -11/24/11

Froth Serves it Hot in Roanoke County FROTH – the head on a cup of coffee; Roanoke County’s newest coffee shop and cafe. Froth is the new place to sip a hot cup of coffee or tea and have a cafe meal. Located in The Forum shopping plaza in the spot vacated by Mill Mountain Coffee, Froth is the brainchild of twins Rachel and Luke Higginbotham, recent Virginia Tech graduates. Although both started other jobs upon graduation in the construction field, when the space became available, they jumped. Longtime friend Mike Carroll, a co-owner, is the certified coffee master with many years of barista experience, and is helping teach the two the tricks of the trade. The space underwent a complete remodel, with a new kitchen and a new paint scheme. They offer a large menu with many unique items, including the Froth Griddle, which is two glazed doughnuts with caramelized sugar stuffed

Luke and Rachel Higginbotham with sausage and a side of syrup. Luke said, “If you want to be real unhealthy, try it.” It is one of the more popular menu items. Rachel stated, “We are getting more and more coming in to eat in addition to the drinks. We are seeing regulars and the location is great.” For the holiday season,

they plan to offer Bissinger chocolates, which are flavored with wine. In the future, they hope to acquire a liquor license to serve coffee liqueurs in the evening hours. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 6:30am to 10:00pm, Friday and Saturday from 6:30am to 11:00pm and Sunday from 7:00am to 9:00pm. By Carla M. Bream info@newsroanoke.com

NewsRoanoke.com

Rick Woodson Honda Achieves Milestone at 40 Years and Counting

Rick Woodson Honda Dealer Principal, Sally Woodson, accepted a plaque from the American Honda Motor Company commemorating their 40th year as a Honda dealer on Monday. Lance Woelfer, Mid-Atlantic Zone Manager from American Honda Motor Company, made the trip from Gaithersburg, MD to present the award. It is a milestone that very few have achieved. Woodson accepted the award on behalf of the Woodson team, adding, “I feel very fortunate that my family and I have had the opportunity to serve the Roanoke valley and surrounding areas for four decades. I believe that our success can be attributed to all of our wonderful customers and friends, and our solid community affiliations. American Honda, along with Rick Woodson Honda, has a strong and reliable reputation that goes back many years and we look forward to many more to come.” Woodson is one of the oldest automotive dealerships in the Valley; in fact it is believed to be the oldest Honda dealership east of the Mississippi, certainly in the Mid-Atlantic region, as they picked up the franchise back in 1974. Today they are one of the premiere dealers in the region, with a state of the art facility including a comprehensive service center. The Woodson automotive organization has been family owned, and in the Roanoke Valley since 1934. As a third generation car dealer, their goal is “to ensure that customers are always treated with professionalism and courtesy” in the family atmosphere that has become their trademark over the years.

Lance Woelfer presents 3rd generation owner Sally Woodson with a plaque recognizing the dealership's 40th year. For more information, visit woodsonhonda. com.

Our Take: The End Of One Personal Journey … And The Beginning Of Another?

(Star-Sentinel News Editor Gene Marrano reflects on last weekend’s marathon in Richmond and the past year.) I’ve jogged and run road races for more than three decades but never thought I’d ever run a marathon. 26.2 miles? Who does that? Why? I would enter 3-4 5K’s or 10k’s every year, mainly to give me a goal to shoot for when jogging. About a year ago, however, I decided I wanted a different body, and started to change my eating habits. Mainly I cut back

on the carbohydrates – white bread, pasta, bagels and the like. Sigh… It wasn’t easy. But I really don’t miss it now, and when I do indulge, it’s a rare treat. I started entering more road races around town, and some trail runs also, almost every weekend. Know what? It’s a lot easier to run when you drop 5060 lbs. like I did. My times got faster, although I’m not a threat to win a race, but it wasn’t really a chore to finish. Now I often finish in the top three for my age group, which means coming home with a ribbon or trophy. It’s a bit of a motivator. Check out starcitystriders. com or mountainjunkies.net for a list of races upcoming (the Thanksgiving morning Drum Stick Dash race downtown and the Jingle Bell Run before Christmas are among the few left in 2011– as is this weekend’s Star City Half Marathon.) Now for the marathon – about

five months ago I said, “the heck with it, I’m gonna do it,” and I signed up for the Suntrust Richmond Marathon. To train I ran the entire length, back and forth, on the longest connected portion of the Roanoke River Greenway to date (from 13th St. to Vic Thomas Park and back, about 11 miles) once a week. In recent weeks I ran it twice non-stop for a total of 22 miles. I was ready, about as ready as I was going to be. So, it was on to Richmond last Saturday for a really great event. There was also an 8K and a half marathon, as well. News Editor Gene Marrano The Suntrust Marathon starts before the Suntrust Richmond on Broad Street downtown and Marathon last weekend. winds through some really neat parts of Richmond, goes over the the finish. That made the soreJames River once or twice, and ness in my legs and feet a bit easier to take. But it really wasn’t through some parks too. There was music all along the all that bad – made much easier way and thousands of people by that weight loss. I finished the cheering for the runners. When 26.2-mile course, mostly flat, in I hit the 20-mile mark I knew it 3:54:01 and was happy with that. Am I a marathoner now? was just a 10K race away from Not on a regular basis, but I will run the Star City half marathon this weekend and will try a few marathons next year – maybe The even Roanoke’s own Blue Ridge Marathon, if I’m ready to tackle a few mountains. It’s amazing what changing my diet a bit did for me. A yearlong journey that led to downtown Richmond, with people cheering me and others on as we attempted to run 26 miles. What’s even more amazing is that almost anyone can do it, if they want to and are healthy enough to do so. Sounds like a New Year’s resolution to me. M�Th 10�7, Fri 10�6, Sat 10�4 By Gene Marrano 4212 Brambleton Ave., S.W. Roanoke gmarrano@cox.net

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Roanoke “Brothers in Arms” Serve Together in Iraq

The wind kicks up the sand and conceals the sun in what is a normal, overcast Iraqi day. Two soldiers step through the red and white painted headquarters door of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and shake the dust from their hair. Despite the small fact that they wear different nametags, there is no question the Roanoke natives, Sgts. Andrew Kintgen and Steven Spurrell are in fact half brothers. Born three and a half years apart, the interaction between the two belies a closeness that only brothers can share. A friendly competitive spirit between them etches a mischievous grin on Kintgen’s face as he explains his faster promotion to sergeant, although joining the Army about a year after his younger brother. “I’m just more awesome,” Kintgen brags as his brother laughs. The two were not always able to be so close due to rocky childhoods, and did not really get to know each other well into they were in their early teens. “We had different fathers so some say we are not technically brothers,” Spurrell explains. “But to us, we are real brothers.” Without knowing they possess different last names, many people automatically assume they are related, due to their strong facial resemblances. “We get mistaken for one another all the time,” Kintgen said, explaining the common mistake. The younger of the two, Spurrell, age 24, was the first

Sgts. Steven Spurrell (l) and Andrew Kintgen to enlist during the surge in 2006. After completing basic training he was stationed in Korea. His older brother pulled him out of a foster home so that they could join together; unfortunately, extenuating circumstances delayed Kintgen from being able to enlist until a year later. When his brother graduated basic training and received orders for Fort Hood, Texas, Spurrell put in his permanent change of station request to join him there. They ended up as Lancers, just in time for the 2009 deployment to Joint Security Station Sadr City. “Originally we were in the same platoon until they found out we were brothers,” Kintgen said. “Deploying together is cool,” Spurrell said, “but it can be scary at times.” Spurrell recounted one particular incident during his deployment; he was in the Battalion Tactical Operations Center when his brother’s vehicle was hit by an explosive formed projectile resulting in the death of a soldier. “I was worried, to say the least,” Spurrell said in a gross

understatement. The two brothers, still serving with the Lancers, are again deployed to Iraq but this time at Contingency Operating Station Kalsu, located in the Babil province. Spurrell is a team leader with Company A, while Kintgen is with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company scout platoon. “We are always trying to outperform each other in everything we do,” Kintgen said. “It becomes part of our leadership style, too. I’m always trying to make my Soldiers better so that I can say my guys are better than his, and he does the same.” Kintgen will be promotable soon, and wants to go to Drill Sergeant school at Fort Jackson. If Spurrell can, he wants to follow his brother. Future plans for the brothers are to stay in the Army and try to stay together, they also both wish to be command sergeants major one day. “Now those would be some competitive battalions,” laughs Kintgen. By Thomas Mori info@newsroanoke.com

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11/18/11 -11/24/11 |The Roanoke Star-Sentinel |Page 23

Hidden Valley and Cave Spring Middle Schools Honored

Students from Hidden Valley and Cave Spring middle schools who worked on the 2011 “Save Your Tail-Gate, Buckle Up” Campaign were honored last week during an awards presentation ceremony sponsored by Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO). The students were honored for their 2nd place finish in the middle school division of the statewide buckle up campaign which was sponsored by YOVASO, the Allstate Foundation, and the Virginia State Police Association. The students and the school’s YOVASO Club received a plaque, banner, “Save Your Tail-Gate, Buckle Up” backpacks, and a $200 check. Central Academy Middle School in Botetourt Co. was the statewide winner in the middle school category of the campaign to increase seat belt use among youth, and Shawsville Middle School in Montgomery Co. placed third. Forty-eight high and middle schools participated in the annual campaign that ran for 3 weeks from September 26 to October 17. Winners were selected based on the number of educational and awareness activities, the percentage increase in seat belt use by students, and the percentage of students who signed the pledge to always buckle up. Seat belt use at participating schools increased an average of 6 percent by the end of the campaign. YOVASO is a statewide youth leadership organization aimed at preventing teen-age related traffic crashes and fatalities. The Organization is administered by the Vir-

The YOVASO Club members and sponsors, Officer S.V. Snowden (left) and Officer Todd Cunningham (right) displaying their 2nd place banner and plaque. ginia State Police Association (VSPA) and is funded through a federal grant from the Virginia Highway Safety Office.

The Allstate Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to help fund the 2011 campaign.

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